Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill has urged Connor Wickham to start proving that he can be a regular Premier League player.

Wickham joined Sunderland last year for £8.1m, although he has yet to find a real chance to shine for the side.

The youngster has been thrust into the first team recently after Steven Fletcher's ankle injury and O'Neill believes that his striker needs show off his talents on the pitch.

"I am seeing an improved player. He's doing a lot of work. He has started to realise what a professional footballer is all about, and he wants to try to do things properly," O'Neill said.

"I'm not saying he wasn't before that in that sense, but I think he is starting to realise what the game is about.

"The sort of position he plays within the team is very, very important, and he has got to show those attributes. Physically, he is very strong and he has got to show those attributes that I think he possesses."

Wickham could start for Sunderland in the game against Southampton on Saturday.