Jack Clarke reveals how he became Sunderland's penalty taker - and what happens next

Jack Clarke says he has earned the role of Sunderland's designated penalty-kick taker, for the time being.

Sunderland lost their two main takers from last season over the course of the summer, with Amad returning to Manchester United and Ross Stewart signing for Southampton.

That left a void in the squad and in an interview with Sky Sports reflecting on his Championship Player of the Month award, Clarke has revealed that there was no replacement initially selected.

Instead, it was down to whoever won the penalty to decide whether to take it.

Clarke won the the first two penalties of the season against Preston North End and Blackburn Rovers, converting both.

That was enough to convince Tony Mowbray to give him the role for the foreseeable future, with Clarke stepping up and again converting when Mason Burstow was fouled in the box against Sheffield Wednesday.

The duties have helped Clarke rise to near the top of the top scorer list across the division.

"I never really had my eye on penalties, but we made a rule at the start of the season that whoever wins it can take it," he told Sky Sports.

"I won the first one against Preston, and scored. Then I did the same against Blackburn. I've not missed one yet, so the gaffer says I can keep taking them.

"I always stay out after training to practise, and the day before a game I try and replicate what it would be like to take one. But there's a long queue of people doing the same hoping to take them off me!"

Clarke is improving rapidly but says he is still watching many of the best in his position to try and kick on even further.

"I love watching Jack Grealish, Heung-min Son and some of the other big names in my position," he said.

"I like to see their strengths and if you can identify what they do in your own game. Then, if you can't do it as well as them, ask yourself why. Then you go out and practise and work on it until you can. That is how I try to improve, and it can only make you a better player."