ROSS Stewart has been a man who's filled a big void for Sunderland this season and he is loving being the main man up front for the Black Cats. 

Stewart has overcome last season's injury problems to lead the line this year and is doing so in style with five goals to his name in League One. 

The Scotsman is affectionately known by the fans as the Loch Ness Drogba for his sizeable presence and eye for goal in the attacking areas which is a label the striker admits he enjoys.

The 25-year-old is likely to be back in the starting line-up when Bolton Wanderers are the visitors to the Stadium of Light. He admits the hard work to get back to full fitness has paid off.

Stewart told the club website: “I’m loving it, being fit now. Obviously the last couple of seasons I’ve had a few problems.

“Coming back in pre-season and continuing into the season, I feel really fit and feel really good and to start the season well with the goals and the team winning and doing well, it makes it even more enjoyable.

“With the fans, I think they are starting to see the best of me, what I was probably brought to the club to do. Last season, even though the fans weren’t in, I probably wasn’t where I should have been physically.

“I think they see that now and they can see how much I enjoy playing the game and every game I try to give me all and do my best.

 “I think they see that. I’m really enjoying playing in front of a crowd of that size as well. It’s a new experience for me to play week in week out with that sort of noise and I’m loving it.

“I think we’re bouncing off each other and hopefully it can be a successful season."

A striker is nothing without his trusty servants behind him lining up the service for the big man. 

The Black Cats have often used Elliot Embleton, Lynden Gooch and Aidan McGeady for every league game this season playing just behind Stewart. 

Stewart added: “For Goochy, I’ve got a lot of quality behind me so for me it’s just about trying to get into areas where I could be a threat.

“I know more times than not that they still find me. At the same time, they’ve chipped in with goals as well so as a front four, I think we’re really starting to know each other’s game and hopefully start to see the best of us.

“We’ve got goals in this team. Not just the front four but everywhere and that will be important this year."

Bolton Wanderers will be looking to spoil the home party for the Black Cats who currently have a one hundred per cent record at the Stadium of Light. 

The visit of Wanderers is quickly followed up by fellow newly promoted side Cheltenham Town on Tuesday evening. 

“I think home form is going to be huge for us" said Stewart.

“We want to win every single game at home and make the Stadium of Light as difficult place to come to as possible.

“With two home games coming up, Bolton on Saturday, it’s certainly a game we want to win. If we can win the two games coming up then hopefully, it will put us back to where we were at the top of the league."