While the midfielder settled quickly at Sunderland after his summer arrival from Preston, and has loved his time so far at the club and in the city, his first campaign with the Black Cats his been disrupted by injury.
After a niggle forced Browne to miss a couple of games early in the season, the experienced midfielder then fractured a bone in his leg in the September draw with Coventry, resulting in a 16-match Championship absence.
Having been desperate to make his mark after joining in the summer, Browne admits the injury was a difficult setback to deal with.
“It’s been tough,” he says.
“I’ve never experienced a season like I have this time around. It doesn’t help being the first year that I’ve moved clubs.
“You want to get off on the right foot and get more games under your belt, show everyone what you can do. I’ve obviously had a setback and I’ve had to be patient to get back in. I’m getting the games now and hopefully that can continue.
“The injury was disappointing because there was a lot of talk around being dependable and then you go and break your leg and you’re out for three or four months.
“It was tough mentally, but I just thought I needed to get my head down and work as hard as I can to get back.
“I’m back now for the all-important end of the season and hopefully I can contribute as much as I can.”
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Browne has been a crucial contributor in recent weeks. With Regis Le Bris having to deal with a number of defensive setbacks, Browne’s versatility has been vital, with the 29-year-old covering at right-back for the games against Millwall and West Brom and helping Sunderland keep two clean sheets.
He returned to midfield for the midweek draw at Norwich, but then again tucked in at right-back for the final stages after the game after Le Bris had made some substitutions.
Browne had prior experience of playing at right-back and is happy to help out wherever he’s needed in the run-in.
“I’ve played there plenty of times,” he says.
“It’s different in this team because it’s a different style of play. There’s probably more expected here.
“It is tough at times because you come up against some really good wingers in this league and I think especially Mikey Johnson at West Brom, he’s one of the better ones, especially in 1v1.
“I’ve had to adapt and just do a shift for the boys with the injuries that we have. Like I said before, I’m just really pleased to be back out there on the pitch.
“I’m old enough to have the experience to be able to change mid-game and try and adapt quite quickly. I’ve done it before so it’s nothing new to me.
“We’ve got some good players and the boys have done well all season. Anywhere I can play, I’m just happy to put in a shift for the lads.”
