Sunderland midfielder Craig Gardner has admitted that he is enjoying life on Wearside and has revealed that homesickness wasn't the reason behind his concerns for the future.

The 25-year-old was linked with a move away from the Black Cats throughout January, despite moving to the Stadium of Light just last summer.

Reports claimed that the playmaker was missing life in the Midlands but Gardner has stated that sparse first-team action caused him to question his career in the North East.

"I've heard a lot about 'homesickness', but I don't really think it's right to describe it as that," said Gardner. "Me and Steve Bruce had a chat about it, but I've never once come out and said that I was homesick and wanted to leave.

"It's just that I thought to myself, 'Why did I come here?' I'd come here to play, and I wasn't playing. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind fighting for my place, but I felt as though I wasn't getting a fair crack of the whip.

"The truth was that I found it tough when I first got here, for a variety of reasons, but it has gradually improved to the point where I'm really enjoying it and looking forward to the games."

Gardner moved from Birmingham City last summer for a £5m transfer fee.