Arbenit Xhemajli insists his never doubted his ability to make an impact at Sunderland despite injury forcing him to wait 18 months for his English league debut.
The Kosovo international arrived on Wearside in the summer of 2020 but had played just one EFL Trophy game before suffering a cruciate ligament injury while away with his country.
That kept him out for more than a year, and although he has had several outings for the U23s this season, his only senior game had again come in the Trophy back at the beginning of December.
READ MORE: Sunderland's season takes another twist as win at Wigan reignites play-off hopes
But, with Callum Doyle in need of a rest and Danny Batth injured, Xhemajli was drafted into the starting XI by Alex Neil at promotion-chasing Wigan Athletic, and he helped the Black Cats keep a clean sheet in a 3-0 victory to end the club's six-game winless streak.
"Some people probably doubted me because I was out for a long time but I never doubted myself," said Xhemajli of his return to the side.
"I was always working hard and had a lot of patience. I have waited over 30 games [this season] and even last season for a whole season.
"I knew if I had my opportunity I had to deliver and for me there were no excuses.
I'm mentally strong and have been pushing myself for my family, and even for the club.
"I came here to show them what I'm able to do, my family always had my back and I have good people around me at Sunderland at the club who have been helping me with my injury to get back to fitness."
Despite his lack of match action, Xhemajli lasted the full 90 minutes at the DW Stadium although he did suffer from cramp late in the game.
He said: "I've never had that cramp in my career but I felt my calf on Thursday in the training and I didn't want to tell anyone because I saw there was an opportunity for me and I couldn't let the opportunity go out of my hands.
"I kept my strong mentality with me, tried to do my best, and at the end [of the game] I got a little bit of cramp but it's going to be fine."
Sunderland arrived at Wigan badly out of form, having won only one of their ten games since the turn of the year to see their automatic promotion challenge effectively downgraded to a battle for a play-off place.
Second-placed Wigan were expected to provide tough opposition, but Sunderland produced an excellent performance to win comfortably thanks to Wright's early goal, and a penalty converted late in each half by Ross Stewart.
Xhemajli said: "We came here to Wigan who are second in the table. We knew it was going to be a hard fight and a hard game.
"As a defender it was important for us to keep a clean sheet, after the Portsmouth game - it's been a long wait.
"The win shows what we can achieve. I think we have a lot of quality. We have young players, we have experienced players and we have to show up.
"That's what we did on Saturday and we did a very good performance that will give us some motivation and confidence for the next game.
"Now we have a day off to recover and the next game will be on Saturday against Charlton and let's see if we can take three points there as well."
The win was also the first of head coach Alex Neil's reign, with his first three games having ended in two draws and a defeat.
Neil said afterwards that his team had carried out the gameplan to the letter, and Xhemajli says he is enjoying working with the new boss.
"It's been good," said Xhemajli. "Obviously the last few results were not really what we wanted but hopefully with this 3-0 win we get a bounce to win some more games.
"Before the game he said how we were going to play and that I should enjoy the game because I have been waiting a long time for my opportunity.
"I have told him I am going to be ready and I'm made for these games.
"I've told him as well there are no excuses from my side because I have to deliver."
Almost 5,000 fans made the trip from Sunderland to Wigan, and they backed the players from first minute until last.
Xhemajli said: "The fans gave us a real lift.
"Not just on Saturday but throughout the whole season they've been immense, even at home games, every time 30,000 supporters.
"It is always a motivation to play for a big club and our goal is to get promoted.
"That's what we are fighting for."
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