Albert Adomah was delighted to keep the games going as Boro enjoyed a useful workout at the Stadium of Light this week.
Both Aitor Karanka and Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce were keen to take advantage of the break due to international football by playing a behind-closed-doors training game on Wearside.
Boro emerged 2-1 winners, but for both coaches and the players, it was a useful exercise ahead of what is a crucial run-in for both clubs.
“It was a good run out just before the international break,” said Adomah, who played 55 minutes after replacing Boro’s opening goalscorer Kike Sola before the break.
“Obviously we still need to train so having a game like that was good against Sunderland, a Premier League team and coming out on top was a good achievement.
“I was always ready to go on thinking I’d be playing the second 45. When Kike got a knock I told the gaffer I was ready to go and he put me on – I was ready for action.”
Kike Sola and Jordan Rhodes were the men on target for Boro, and Adomah almost got his name on the scoresheet.
“I think I ran from about 50 yards and skipped past a few people then the keeper saved the shot,” he said.
“We still won at the end, though, which is the main thing.
“We’ll have a few days off now and come back in preparation for QPR and that’s a massive game.
“It’s always good to cool down over the international break but hopefully everyone will be ready when we come back.”
