Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat has been impressed by Connor Wickham since taking charge.

Advocaat was happy with the young striker in defeat to West Ham United.

"I thought Connor Wickham was excellent, I thought he really put a shift in," said the Dutchman. "Some heads were down in the dressing room after the way the game ended (with Diafra Sakho's 88th-minute winner).

"But there are positives to take and we can take confidence from our performance.

"The international break is very good timing, it gives me the chance to work more with the players."