Asamoah Gyan has blamed his failure to hit his 15-goal target in the Premiership on injuries even though he ranks his first season in English football as a success.

The Ghana international, a record 13-million pound buy for Sunderland scored 10 Premiership goals in 31 appearances, a third of which came as a substitute.

It is a decent rate by any measure but Gyan was aiming for a much better return. A hamstring injury curtailed his participation in the League after he had hit double figures against Wigan.

“That game against Wigan, I thought I was going to score a hat trick,” he said. “When I got that goal, I said to myself that I needed to score more. Unfortunately then I got the injury and it was disappointing that I was not able to reach my 15 goals.”

That notwithstanding, Gyan reckons he has had a good first season.

“Then again I think most people are happy with my performances this season. I came here just getting used to the game but I think my performances have been quiet impressive,” he says.