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Steven Pienaar has admitted he is still adjusting to his role of
helping guide the first-team squad's younger players.
The 34-year-old recently made his debut for the Black Cats after landing a one-year deal following a successful trial spell.
Prior to that the former Everton star was contemplating a move to return home to play in the South African Premiership.
However, David Moyes' relatively late appointment at Sunderland saw Pienaar get the chance to play at least one more season in the Premier League before he potentially hangs up his boots.
Nonetheless, Pienaar has explained how he is adjusting to his role as being a father figure to the club's younger players.
Pienaar told the Guardian: "At the moment there are a lot of young players so it will be hard, it might even be a hard season but we will make progress.
"There are quite a few good young players here. Duncan Watmore, Joel Asoro, Lynden Gooch and Jordan Pickford to name a few but they need guidance."
He added: "It feels quite strange to be playing with someone who is half my age like Joel Asoro.
"I feel like a dad to some of them and already I'm one of the senior players, even though I'm new and still getting to know everyone."
