Kilgallon has been impressed with his team-mates qualities

Sunderland defender Matthew Kilgallon has paid tribute to his team-mates for guiding him through his first two games with the club.

Kilgallon, 26, signed for the Wearsiders from Sheffield United in January and made his debut six days later in a 2-0 defeat by Everton.

"I've been thrown in but you can see at the side of me how good the players are," he told BBC Newcastle.

"I just try to go in there and do my best and help the team."

But despite seeing defending as his priority, the former England Under-21 international is keen to offer his value at the opposite end of the field.

"I get paid to defend and keep the ball out of our net," added Kilgallon, who had made 225 professional appearances since signing terms with Leeds United in August 2002.

"But if there's a bit of space there then I'll go into it and try to help out the attackers."

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