The 19-year-old scored just four minutes after coming off the bench at Bolton and he would love to be linked up with Steven Fletcher.
Connor Wickham: "Hopefully, this can be a real kick-start to my season.
"It's always my aim to be in there in the manager's plans and hopefully the goal has put me in an even better position.
"I didn't think I was going to get on but when I did I was able to make a difference. We were 2-0 down so I thought 'There's nothing to lose, just get on there and do your best'.
"I just want to play football and Sunderland are a Premier League club and they've given me the chance to play football.
"It's been really tough for me. I've moved 300 miles away from where I grew up and left my home behind - but it's my dream and you've got to follow your dream.
"Maybe it didn't get off to the perfect start, the start I'd hoped for or anticipated, but now I feel much fitter and stronger and feel as though I'm kicking on."