'Unbelievable' Sunderland star can 'play at top' amid Arsenal & England comparisons

SIMON Moore believes "class" Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson has all the qualities to reach the top.

Moore, who joined the Black Cats in the summer as Patterson's deputy, has been teammates with the likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Dean Henderson and Wojciech Szczesny in the past but believes Sunderland's No.1 is as good as any of them.

And although 34-year-old Moore is now at the back end of his career, he says he's learnt an awful lot in the few months he's trained and worked alongside Patterson.

"Patto is right up there [with keepers I've worked with]," said Moore.

"I've followed him for a while even before I came here and he's class, he pulls off some unbelievable saves. He's underrated with the ball at his feet as well, calm and composed. His handling is excellent, he can without a shadow of a doubt play at the top."

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Moore headed for Sunderland on the back of a two-year spell of very little football at Coventry, where he'd slipped to third choice in the goalkeeper pecking order.

He's rediscovered his love of the game on Wearside and proven a shrewd signing so far, keeping three successive clean sheets before the 2-2 draw with his former side at the weekend in the absence of Patterson.

Regis Le Bris' No.1 is expected to be back for the trip to Millwall a week on Saturday and Moore will completely understand if he has to drop to the bench, but believes he has shown that he can be trusted if and when needed.

Moore has also established himself as a crucial figure behind the scenes, putting his experience to good use. He wants to move into coaching when he hangs up his gloves and is enjoying being a senior figure in Sunderland's young dressing room - but he also remains determined to keep improving himself.

"I'm enjoying working with him [Patterson]," he said.

"I feel like I've already improved working with him. The training is really good and even at 34 I feel like I've improved since I came here, it just goes to show that you never stop learning.

"I think coming up here has just given me that hunger again, I've got the bit between my teeth and I've really enjoyed it.

"I want us to do well, if I can help any of the boys with all the seasons I've been in the game and the experience I've gained, then I've done my job. Coaching is definitely something I want to go into but at the moment I'm playing, keeping clean sheets... I'll think about that when the time comes."