JACK Colback plans to follow the example of Jordan Henderson two years ago, and use an impressive pre-season to secure a regular place in Sunderland’s first team.

The 21-year-old midfielder had a run in the side at the end of the season just ended, capitalising on a string of injuries to start the last six matches.

However, he can expect to be pushed back down the pecking order come August when Lee Cattermole and Kieran Richardson return to fitness, and no doubt a new signing or two strengthens the midfield competition.

Colback is hoping to get a head start on them by catching Black Cats boss Steve Bruce’s eye during pre-season.

“It’s an important pre-season for me,” he acknowledged. “I need to keep my head down and make sure I’m in the manager’s plans again because I don’t want to have done what I have then fade away again. I need to push on.

“It’s always been in the back of my mind to push on to this level after playing in the Championship, to try and prove to myself that I could handle it.

“I think I’ve done well when I have had the chance. I’ve not made any major errors.”

Colback has clearly benefited from two loans at Championship side Ipswich Town.

Henderson had one at Coventry City in 2009, and the recently-installed Bruce was won over by the player who returned. He has been a near ever-present in the team since.

Colback’s circumstances are slightly different, coming back in January, but he will look to emulate the England midfielder.