Noble had a loan spell at Watford last season, but did not play

Sunderland striker Ryan Noble says Jordan Henderson has been a positive influence since his progression into the first-team squad.

The 18-year-old, who played youth and reserve team football with the England midfielder, made his Premier League debut at Everton on Saturday.

Noble told BBC Newcastle: "I look up to him after what he's done for the club.

"You think 'maybe I can do the same', so I'm always asking him questions to get an insight on the first-team."

Noble's Sunderland career has been stalled by injuries, most recently a stress fracture of the back which curtailed a loan spell at Derby County in October, with the youngster having made just one substitute appearance for the Rams.

"I went on loan to Derby and came back with an injury which I wasn't expecting, and now I have to build from there, and it's been three or four months since I've been able to play, but I'm back in the swing of things now," he said.

"It was a stress fracture of the back which was three to five months out and the physios have been brilliant with me, it's a huge set-back when something like that happens, you have to rebuild your confidence, and stay positive.

"Something you think about the problem, but I'm a Sunderland lad and I want to play for Sunderland which keeps me going.

"Hopefully I'll have no more injuries and I can just play my football and get on with what I'm about to do."

Noble made his first-team debut in a 3-0 FA Cup third round win against Barrow in January 2010.

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