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Kenwyne Jones admits that his new solo striking role in the Sunderland team has entailed extra endeavour, but the Trinidad and Tobago international has relished the added responsibilities of his modified position.
With Ricky Sbragia fielding a 4-2-3-1 formation in the Black Cats' last two matches, Jones has ploughed a lone furrow in attack, but he scored in the 3-1 defeat at Portsmouth and has enjoyed an increase in opportunities.

"In terms of playing up front, I think I've been seeing the ball a bit more," he said.  "You always have a responsibility in a team when you're playing. When you're up there on your own, it's even harder work, but at the end of the day that's football and you have to work for the team. That's what I'm trying to do.
 
"Compared to the amount of chances I've had, I don't think I've had too many earlier in the season, so it has been nice to get quite a few. It was nice to get on the scoresheet, too.

"Being able to score this season has more or less been from one chance. I went through a period when I wasn't getting any chances whatsoever. So I've been happy to have been in the mix."

Whether the manager deploys a similar system against Chelsea on Sunday is open to question, but Sbragia has been pleased with the impact made by Jones, who has been supported ably by Kieran Richardson.

"In the last two games, Kenwyne has done really well in a new role," he said. "He's had a lot of support from Kieran, who has created a number of chances himself.

"But Kenwyne has led the line really well and has seemed happy with it. He knows what he has to do up there. He might be a player who feels he needs to play on his own, with support coming from the flanks or slightly behind him, but in the last couple of games, he's had some decent chances where previously he hasn't had too many.

"The biggest thing for me is that Kieran is giving him good support and is getting in the box. On Monday he had two or three good chances and if you're being critical, he should have made the keeper do some work, but Kenwyne has led the line really well."