Stead scored once and had a hand in two goals as Town ran out comfortable winners in new boss Roy Keane's first game in charge, and despite being sold by the former Sunderland gaffer before hand, Stead now seems to have took a very big step towards securing his future.
Speaking to the EADT, Stead revealed he never fell out with Keane, and merely left to have a crack at England's top flight: "I had the chance to go to the Premiership and you have to give managers credit when they give you that opportunity because there are a lot of players who get held back.
"I had the chance to go to the Premier League and I scored goals and showed what I can do. Now, hopefully, I have done enough these season to get a chance under the new manager.
"I feel I have come a long way since my days at Sunderland so hopefully he will see that too."
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