ROKER ROUNDUP: Costa Rican left-back admits he’s enjoying League One and playing for Sunderland

Oviedo enjoying life

Bryan Oviedo was expected to leave Sunderland this summer, particularly after the Costa Rican had a successful World Cup with his country, but no move materialised and he has knuckled down and proven himself to be an asset to the club.

In an exclusive interview with La Nacion, Oviedo admitted that he thought a move would happen in the summer but wants to prove himself to be the best left-back in League One:

I had the illusion of being able to play at a slightly higher level, since after the World Cup the illusion was born that something else could happen. I expected to be able to play in a league more competitive than League One, in the end it was not possible and now it only remains to continue demonstrating and growing as a footballer.

Personally I’m happy, I just take this challenge and I hope to give my best to be the best left-back in this league.

The full-back compares the quality he has faced so far with the top flight in Denmark and hopes to play well enough to see the team promoted. Oviedo also says that although there was interest in him from other counties, he is happy in England due to the quality of life and as he’s enjoying his football so much:

The league is a bit similar in level to that of Denmark, they are very physical games where the teams run a lot. It’s a difficult league, very similar to Championship. Here are strong, powerful and fast players. Sunderland play well and I hope to enjoy it here, improving here and the team to continue well to get promoted.

Playing games will help me a lot, maybe the league is not competitive like the Premier League but it’s not bad, personally I’m not going to lower the level, I have to train hard and football is about continuing to improve.

England is a country with a very good quality of life, my wife and my children are happy here. We walk on the street without problem, I think that many times the quality of life is something that must be analyzed, on the other hand, I am doing well in the sport, in the country with the best league that is the Premier League.

Loan roundup

Elliot Embleton and Luke Molyneux were named in the starting line-up for Grimsby Town and Gateshead respectively, while Connor Shields was a substitute for Alloa Athletic.

Embleton made his debut for Grimsby and could have got his first senior goal but could only side foot at Daniel Iversen when it was perhaps easier to score, he also had another chance that was again saved by the visiting goalkeeper. The rest of the game went Oldham’s way as they crusied to a 3-0 victory at Blundell Park.

Unfortunately there was only bad news for Molyneux, as the young forward picked up an injury during the warm up and had to be replaced, and things didn’t get any better for Gateshead either as they went down to a 1-0 home defeat by Braintree.

Shields came on as substitute with 14 minutes remaining as Alloa drew 0-0 away with Dunfermline but his only involvement was being flagged offside.

Lamine Kone missed out for Strasbourg altogether due to injury.

Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images