Rose welcomes Sunderland stay

Tottenham Hotspur defender Danny Rose says he is delighted he will remain on loan at Sunderland for the remainder of the season.

The England Under-21 left-back joined Sunderland on loan from Tottenham in August and has been one of the most impressive performers at the Stadium of Light so far this season.

The terms of his loan agreement meant Rose was forced to sit out Saturday’s 2-1 defeat against his parent club, after which Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas confirmed the player would continue his development under Martin O’Neill.

Rose said: “I spoke to the manager (Villas-Boas) on Saturday and asked him what was happening because I wanted to know myself.

“I’m very happy up north. I’m close to my family, and playing every week.

“I love the staff, players and management here, and I’m not looking to go back south and not play.

“I’m settled here, so I wanted to know what was going on.

“He told me the plan was to stay for the full season, and whatever happens after that is out of my hands. Then it’s between Sunderland and Spurs.”

Rose expects to slot straight back into the Sunderland side for Wednesday’s trip to Anfield to face Liverpool and the 22-year-old hopes his enforced break will have a positive impact.

“The rest will do me good to a certain extent,” he said.

“You don’t want to take too many days off because you lose your fitness.

“But it’s been good to get my feet up for a few days because I’ve got a sore ankle at the minute.

“But hopefully I can get back in the team tomorrow, and continue the good things I’ve been doing.”