Sunderland hero Marcus Stewart is backing Connor Wickham for a huge season next term.
Stewart urged patience from Sunderland when they first signed Wickham from Ipswich Town three years ago.
"Strikers come of age at different times," said the 41-year-old to the Sunderland Echo.
"Some strikers mature instantly like Wayne Rooney did - he kicked on immediately and stayed there.
"Others take more time.
"I always felt that even though Connor had shown early, you wouldn't see the best of him for at least two or three years after he signed for Sunderland.
"I felt he would be 23 or 24 before we started to see the best of him and you have to bear in mind he's still just 21, still an under 21 player, and hopefully Sunderland will now start seeing the best of him next season.
"I just though the size and mentality of him when he joined Sunderland, I thought he would take time to grow into himself.
"It's a mental thing more than anything else and I know that, I've been there.
"Strikers, you have to give them time, especially young lads, and he had a big price tag on his head.
"He's a young lad and he's going to have times when he doesn't score in games, that's the way strikers are.
"But I think he's shown signs of starting to mature as a footballer.
"He's been churning out the goals and hopefully next year the club will get a good goals return from him."
