"It's a long time since I played in the Premiership and to be at my best I have to play games," said Leonhardsen.
"Hopefully now I'll get more chances. I had a good pre-season with Tottenham, playing six or seven games, so I'm quite fit.
"But as for competitive games, I've played just a couple of internationals since the beginning of August. That's it.
"So I just hope that I can play as much as possible and get a chance at Sunderland."