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Former New Zealand under-20 captain Jack Pelter has put his injury woes behind him and is aiming to re-impress Sunderland FC soccer manager Roy Keane.
The 20-year-old defender suffered a broken foot during Sunderland's reserve team victory over Middlesborough in December and has only recently returned to playing.
"It's fantastic to be back out there," said Pelter who this time last year was playing for Canterbury United in New Zealand while holding down a part-time job as a barman.
"Having spent so much time getting fit, I now need to go out and impress.
"I was given the opportunity with a 12-month contract and it's about making the most of that," said Pelter, who joined English premiership club Sunderland last September.
A former pupil at Barrow's St Pius X Catholic School, Pelter emigrated to New Zealand aged nine with his family.
Prior to getting injured, Pelter had played in several reserve team games, including a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United.
His aim remains to force his way into Keane's premiership plans.
" It's still a dream come true, and sometimes you forget that," said Pelter.
"You need to keep reminding yourself to work as hard as you can to stay here, that's obviously what I want to do.
"I don't fancy going back to a normal job," Pelter told the NW Evening Mail today.
- NZPA