The club's £8m signing from West Ham United arrived with a slight hamstring complaint, but having played an hour for the club's reserves on Tuesday he is now raring to go.

Manager Roy Keane was in attendance as Sunderland's second string cruised to a 4-0 win over Hartlepool United and after the match Ferdinand pleaded to be handed a start at The JJB Stadium this weekend.

"I enjoyed the game. It all went to plan," Ferdinand said. "My hamstring felt fine and that was what it was all about.

"I think it was a useful workout - I got a little bit of a game under my belt and although it wasn't a first-team game, it was nice to put on a Sunderland shirt and get out there.

every minute

"It was a good workout, good to get out playing again and I enjoyed every minute of it. I hadn't played for almost a month so every minute is good.

"If the manager asks me, then yeah, I'm ready for the Premier League again - I'm looking forward to getting stuck in. I feel fine, the hamstring feels fine, the lungs feel fine and I feel good enough to be involved on Saturday."

Ferdinand says he has enjoyed settling in at his new club since his Stadium of Light switch.

"I've enjoyed every minute since I've been here - training and being up here - and it helped that I knew a few of the lads from before," he added.

"I've been made to feel really welcome and now I just can't wait to get on with it. There's nothing like a first-team game to make you feel like you belong."