DUNCAN WATMORE will be pushing himself to the limit in the next three days in an attempt to secure a place in Sunderland’s squad for Sunday’s Wear-Tyne derby with Newcastle.

Having impressed in a number of development matches this season, 21-year-old Watmore was promoted to Sunderland’s first-team group in the early days of Dick Advocaat’s reign.

The attacker was an unused substitute in the 1-0 defeat at West Ham that marked Advocaat’s opening game as Black Cats head coach, and has continued to train with the senior group throughout the international break.

He could yet emerge as a surprise derby wildcard as Sunderland look to record what would be a record fifth successive win over Newcastle, and is determined to do all he can to remain at the forefront of Advocaat’s thoughts.

“You have to take your chance when you get it, but first of all you have to earn it,” said Watmore, who joined Sunderland from Altrincham in 2013. “Hopefully, by training with the first team, I can get that opportunity.

“The more I train with the first team, the better I will get, but I can’t expect anything too soon and I just need to keep working hard and impress the head coach.”

With just eight Premier League games remaining, it is a long time since a Wear-Tyne derby was taking place at such a critical stage of the campaign.

Burnley host Tottenham two-and-a-half hours before Sunderland entertain Newcastle, and if Sean Dyche’s side win at Turf Moor, the Black Cats will kick off the derby inside the bottom three.

Their recent record against Newcastle should give them confidence, but Watmore admits it would be dangerous to take too much solace from previous results.

“It doesn’t matter what has happened before, you just need to be in the moment and pick up three points,” he said. “Derby games are a battle, but they’re something that the players really look forward to.

“It’s always a fierce contest, and the supporters are always incredibly passionate. We want to give them something to cheer about, and from our point of view, it’s a massive game because a win could lift us up the Premier League table.”