YOUNG Wanderers striker Marvin Sordell hopes 2013 will be the year he cements a regular place in the first-team at the Reebok Stadium.

This month marks a year since his arrival from Watford on a deal worth £3.2million.

But Saturday’s FA Cup tie with Sunderland was just his fourth start for the Whites in those 12 months – all of those coming this season.

He marked it with a goal, however, just as he did his previous start against Nottingham Forest in August.

And the England Under-21 forward is targeting more goals and more outings in his second year at the club in a bid to prove his worth to the Wanderers faithful.

Sordell said: “I have been working hard at the training ground to make my way back into the team.

“I just tried to get in the right areas and hoped that something would come my way, and luckily it did in the second half.

“I just want to now try and keep my head down and work hard.

“That is what the manager has spoken to me about. “He has told me if I continue to work hard then I will get my opportunity.

“I am glad that I got my goal. It was a good chance for me to show the fans what I can do and it was good to have a positive performance.

“The crowd were excellent – it is always good when people back you and I just want to do well and score more goals for this club.”

The 21-year-old was naturally delighted to head home his second goal for the club, despite watching the Premier League Black Cats fight back from 2-0 down to earn a replay.

He added: “For the goal, the corner came in and the keeper came out to punch it away.

“I ran towards the ball thinking it will come to me and it did and I just managed to help it on its way into the net.

“It was just an instinctive finish and luckily no one was on the post and it went in.

“I am pleased to score and to have played my part.”

Nevertheless, the former Watford man was left frustrated Dougie Freedman’s side could not see the game out and now face a trip to the north east a week today.

He said: “After being 2-0 up, naturally we wanted to see the game out, but credit to Sunderland.

“I thought that we had some good momentum and were on the front foot but sometimes there is nothing you can do to prevent a side coming back into a game.

“Their second goal was a great strike and I thought our defence did really well to keep them at bay for the majority of the game.

“I think we could have won the game but we can’t be too disappointed as it was a very good performance.

“At the end of the day it is a good result and hopefully today was the first of many more goals to come for myself.”