02/02/12 20:22 GMT Stephane Sessegnon has paid tribute to Sunderland team-mate Fraizer Campbell after witnessing his blistering return to action at close hand. The 24-year-old former Manchester United striker has wasted little time in making a massive impact since his return from a 17-month injury nightmare, scoring as a substitute against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup on Sunday and then marking his first start since August 2010 with a stunning opener in last night's 3-0 victory over Norwich. Sessegnon has lined up behind a series of strikers since his arrival on Wearside from Paris St Germain in January last year, but his fledgling partnership with Campbell has already been promisingly productive, and he is delighted to see him back in business. The Benin international said: "He's worked really hard to get back and played really well in his first match at the weekend. He has managed to recover and given his maximum for the team again last night. "After such a long time injured, it's difficult to start coming back into games. But he's a player who loves playing and that's helped him. I'm really happy for him." There were smiles all round the Stadium of Light, and none wider than the one on Campbell's face, when he blasted the Black Cats into a 21st-minute lead. Full-back Russell Martin did well to prevent James McClean from collecting the ball after the winger had lifted it over him, but his intervention simply set up Campbell to take on touch before thumping a dipping volley over goalkeeper John Ruddy. Campbell turned provider seven minutes later as he and Sessegnon carved the Canaries open before the former crossed for the latter to head home from close range. Sessegnon said: "The first goal was quite special because there wasn't much on. Fraizer hit the ball really well. "Then he played a big part in my goal by putting in a great cross. "Fraizer's a player who it's really easy to play alongside. He's very quick and likes the ball at his feet rather than on his head, a bit like me. "Also, he allows me to drop a bit deeper into the middle of the park because he likes to play on the last man. We seem to complement each other and we both scored last night, so it looks good." Norwich's hopes of launching a second-half fightback were killed off within nine minutes of the restart when Phil Bardsley's cross went in off defender Daniel Ayala despite Ruddy's best efforts to cap a poor night for Paul Lambert's men. Victory took Sunderland's return from O'Neill's nine Barclays Premier League games to date to 19 points from a possible 27 and lifted them to eighth in the table. Sessegnon, 27, added: "I hope to continue winning and continue scoring. It was a good victory because of the way we played and to score three goals as well and not concede one, it was almost the perfect match for us. "It wasn't easy, no match in the Premier League is and we knew Norwich have done well this season. But we played well and scored some good goals. "We got ourselves in front and we were very happy with the way we played." O'Neill was able to hand loan signing Wayne Bridge a brief cameo appearance - his first in the league this season - as a late substitute on a night when injuries forced him to make changes once again. Defender Wes Brown is facing up to eight weeks on the sidelines with a knee problem, while midfielder David Vaughan will miss out for several weeks with ankle ligament damage, although skipper Lee Cattermole's hamstring strain is on the mend. http://www.sportinglife.com/footbal...nderland_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=soccer&BID=165
"Fraizer's a player who it's really easy to play alongside. He's very quick and likes the ball at his feet rather than on his head, a bit like me. "Also, he allows me to drop a bit deeper into the middle of the park because he likes to play on the last man. We seem to complement each other and we both scored last night, so it looks good." I love that bit
"Fraizer's a player who it's really easy to play alongside. He's very quick and likes the ball at his feet rather than on his head, a bit like me. "Also, he allows me to drop a bit deeper into the middle of the park because he likes to play on the last man. We seem to complement each other and we both scored last night, so it looks good." Please take note for the future Mr Bruce, not all footballers like having the ball lumped in the air at them. I'm still sure that was what was sickening Gyan too. He wanted the ball passed to him, not lumped up field to chase. Since we have been playing football Sess has been smiling more too.
