LEWIS O’Brien is pinching himself at the prospect of stepping out in front of 42,000 fans this afternoon.

City’s on-loan midfielder admits he is more used to sitting in a bumper Boxing Day crowd than playing in front of one.

O’Brien previously spent the festive period at the Etihad Stadium watching Manchester City with his dad.

But today he will take centre stage himself when Sunderland host the biggest League One audience of the modern era.

O’Brien said: “I would have laughed at them if someone had told me a few months ago that I could be playing in a game like this on Boxing Day.

“I haven’t done anything on other Boxing Days. I’ve just sat around or gone to watch Man City, so to be playing will be a big thing for me.

“To go from about 25 fans in the under-23s (at Huddersfield) to playing in front of 40,000 or so is great.

“But hopefully we can silence them and get our fans who have travelled behind us.”

With only one loss from the last six league games, City head to the north-east in confident mood.

Currently out of League One’s bottom four on goal difference, O’Brien hopes they can turn the massive Wearside crowd to their advantage.

“It could be a confidence boost for us because there is that many there,” he added.

“Maybe the fans could also prove their downfall if we can get on top because then the pressure will hopefully get to them.

“We’ve just got to play our normal game. It doesn’t matter how many fans are there, we’ll just concentrate on what we are doing.”

As City’s campaign reaches the halfway point, O’Brien has already started 21 games in his first taste of senior football.

Huddersfield’s current academy player of the year continues to earn rave reviews and cannot believe how well it has gone.

He said: “I knew I had the ability to get into the team but it’s been fantastic for me. I’ve been playing every week and proving why I came here.

“I knew I could handle myself in the 23s because I played with them for three years. But everything is different, especially the physicality and the pace.

“I was quite strong for my size but stepping up I quickly realised I had to get back in the gym. I had to get stronger and my mind had to be quicker on the ball.

“But I felt ready for the challenge. I knew what I was coming into and I’d be preparing for a while to try and get myself into so-called men’s football.

“I just came in to enjoy myself and take everything in my stride. No matter what was happening I’ve just carried on the same way – happy and determined to enjoy the experience.”

City are hopeful that Huddersfield boss David Wagner will not look to take back the youngster next month. There is a break clause in O’Brien’s season-long loan at Valley Parade.

O’Brien is unaware of any plans to do so but remains in regular contact with City’s Premier League neighbours.

“I do speak to them quite a lot. My under-23s coach and academy manager have been talking to me to see how everything is going.

“They like to keep updated about how I am, not just with the football but how I’m enjoying being here.

“I don’t really know (if they are thinking of a recall). I’m just focusing on my football and hopefully the fans can see I’m putting everything on the line.

“When I first came in, they weren’t really saying nice things about me so it’s a bit strange now!

“It’s a weird feeling when you hear your name announced as man of the match on the tannoy.

“I’m not really used to any of this attention. It’s good but I’ve got to push that to one side and continue thinking about myself and playing football.”