'I never doubted myself,' says Arbenit Xhemajli, after making his long-delayed League One debut

Arbenit Xhemajli insists his never doubted his ability to make an impact at Sunderland despite injury forcing him to wait 18 months for his English league debut.

The Kosovo international arrived on Wearside in the summer of 2020 but had played just one EFL Trophy game before suffering a cruciate ligament injury while away with his country.

That kept him out for more than a year, and although he has had several outings for the U23s this season, his only senior game had again come in the Trophy back at the beginning of December.

But, with Callum Doyle in need of a rest and Danny Batth injured, Xhemajli was drafted into the starting XI by Alex Neil at promotion-chasing Wigan Athletic, and he helped the Black Cats keep a clean sheet in a 3-0 victory to end the club's six-game winless streak.

"Some people probably doubted me because I was out for a long time but I never doubted myself," said Xhemajli of his return to the side.

"I was always working hard and had a lot of patience. I have waited over 30 games [this season] and even last season for a whole season.

"I knew if I had my opportunity I had to deliver and for me there were no excuses.

I'm mentally strong and have been pushing myself for my family, and even for the club.

"I came here to show them what I'm able to do, my family always had my back and I have good people around me at Sunderland at the club who have been helping me with my injury to get back to fitness."

Despite his lack of match action, Xhemajli lasted the full 90 minutes at the DW Stadium although he did suffer from cramp late in the game.

He said: "I've never had that cramp in my career but I felt my calf on Thursday in the training and I didn't want to tell anyone because I saw there was an opportunity