Sunderland defender Bryan Oviedo has told the Shields Gazette that his recovery from injury is progressing smoothly and he is fully committed to helping the club in the Championship once he is back playing again. 

A hamstring injury suffered in April has hampered Oviedo's pre-season preparations and saw him miss Costa Rica's Gold Cup campaign this summer, yet Oviedo has said he will commit himself fully to the tough challenge of returning Sunderland to the Premier League at the first time of asking once he returns.

“I’m fine. I am in the final part of the recovery and I hope to start jogging later this week,” Oviedo claimed. “The objective is for me to join in with training next week with the team, and then to play.

Having missed the aforementioned Gold Cup, Oviedo outlined his desire to force himself back into Costa Rica's plans, during September's international break, which is especially important with the World Cup in Russia coming up at the end of the current season.

“For the matches of the national team, I will be very well. Next week, I start to train and I would have a month to add training and play. “This season that is about to start will be of many blessings, as we have the opportunity to qualify for a World Cup and at the end of the season I hope to have the motivation to move up to the Premier League.”

The Verdict: 

Oviedo is a player of Premier League experience, who seems to be a solid professional. However, there are concerns about his commitment to the club now that David Moyes, a manager who has signed him twice, has been shown the exit door and Sunderland fans have had enough of players who do not want to wear the shirt.

Youngster Brendan Galloway will provide stiff competition, and if he starts the season well, Oviedo may find it difficult to get the regular match time he needs in order to be a shoo-in for the Costa Rica World Cup squad.

Oviedo appears to preach the virtues of staying fit on the pitch and settled off the pitch in Sunderland, which, if he performs at the level which saw him sustain a Premier League career at Everton, could see him become an asset to Simon Grayson, who, even if Galloway were to nail down the left back slot, is sure to appreciate the experienced international's versatility.

Sunderland fans - what do you think? Would you keep Oviedo and make him first choice? Or would you move him on? Let us know in the comments below...