Sunderland midfielder Craig Gardner has welcomed changes to the Stadium of Light.

The new season will see away supporters move up into the Strongbow North Stand Upper from their traditional location behind the South Stand goal.

The South Stand will become a new lively singing area, a move which is already proving immensely popular with Sunderland supporters.

"The changes will definitely help," Gardner told safc.com. "When you score a goal it is nice to go and celebrate with the supporters.

"If there's away supporters behind one goal, you don't want them booing at you when you score - you want to go to your own fans.

"It's good that the club have realised that and I think the changes will be good for both players and fans."