Belgian prospect Boyata, who made a real impact last season, stepped up for his first game of the new campaign on Thursday and headed his first senior goal in a man-of-the-match display against Timisoara.
Dedryck proved himself after a dramatic call-up from Roberto Mancini last Christmas, but he expects Sunderland and other Barclays Premier League games to be few and far between for him in this campaign.
He said: “I will have to wait for League games, but in the Europa League, FA Cup and Carling Cup I’m hoping I can get my chance and replace players who are rested.
“Thursday was a good chance for me to play, and I’m happy with how I did. With those players around you, they make it easy. Vinny, Patrick and Ade, they all talk and help you a lot. But it’s going to be harder to get a game.”
Dedryck did his chances no harm, capping an impressive display at the back by adding the second goal on the night to clinch a 3-0 aggregate victory and see the Blues safely into the group stages.
He said: “My parents came over so it was nice to score in front of them, my little sisters and my girlfriend.
That was my first goal, but I hope there are plenty more to come
Boyata might be missing out at the Stadium of Light, but the teenage Belgian has a big date next weekend when he aims to help the Under-21s into the finals of the European Championships by beating Slovenia.
He said: “If we win, we go through, so in a way it’s a bigger game than Timisoara was. I’ve missed out on the European finals in the past when we failed to qualify by one goal, so I’m really up for this match.
“I’m dreaming of playing for the seniors, but I’m not that close - they have got some good players in my position who play regularly. I’ll have to wait and see, but I’m focusing on the Under-21s right now.”
