A figure of frustration on Wearside - Adam Matthews has joined Bristol City on loan until the end of the season.

The right-back has been afforded few opportunities with Sunderland since joining in the summer, becoming the team's third choice right-back behind DeAndre Yedlin and Billy Jones.

Now, with Emmanuel Eboue set to sign a short-term deal with the Black Cats and Matthews pursuing a spot in WalesEuro 2016 squad, the defender has taken the chance to play regularly with the Robins in the Championship.

Matthews keen to get going again

Speaking to Bristol's official website, Matthews certainly came across as raring to go in the South West after a tough time on Wearside.

"Hopefully I can come in straightaway and show what I can do," he said, adding that, despite not playing for the first team much this season, he feels "as fit as [he] can be at the minute," having "played in five or six reserve games for Sunderland against good teams" recently.

Bristol took Matthews' fancy when he was looking for game time too, as, after speaking to manager Lee Johnson, he realised the optimism at the club, with them wanting to "build for next season and push for a top-six place."

However, at the moment, the club sit 20th - just two places and five points above a drop back down to League One, from where they have only just been promoted. 

Thus, the focus for now is on helping the team "up the table," before he thinks about the future - which contains the possibility of a permanent move in the summer, "if all goes well for both parties," as well as a potential place at Euro 2016 that is in "the back of [the player's] mind."

Matthews has 12 caps for Wales, but hasn't played for his country since 2013. | Photo: Zimbio
Matthews has 12 caps for Wales, but hasn't played for his country since 2013. | Photo: Zimbio

Bristol happy to welcome quality

Whilst manager Johnson believes many may be questioning this move by Bristol as they don't exactly need another right-back, he is pleased with the possibilities of change it can bring.

"It gives us the ability to move Luke Ayling into central midfield if we want," he explained, whilst adding that the team are always going to be "in the market for good players" - which is what he sees Matthews as.

Johnson clearly gets the sense that the player is raring to go as well, telling the club's website that the new signing is "hungry to play" and that he has moved to Ashton Gate to "prove himself."

Matthews will be available to face Wolverhampton Wanderers tomorrow and will wear the number 26 during his loan spell with Bristol.

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About the author
Ameé Ruszkai
Head of the Sunderland, Swansea City and women football sections at VAVEL UK. Email: [email protected]