text: Santiago Vergini has indicated he may be ready to extend his stay at Sunderland after revealing Premier League survival could trigger the offer of a two-year permanent contract. The 26-year-old Argentinian returned to the Stadium of Light on a season-long loan deal from Costa Rican side Sport Uruguay de Coronado in August last year and has made 35 appearances to date this season. The last of them was a start in Sunday's 1-0 derby victory over Newcastle which provided a huge boost to the club's top-flight survival hopes. Santiago Vergini (left) is keen to stay at Sunderland having played a key role in the Wearside outfit's 1-0 derby win over Newcastle United on Sunday. Above, the Sunderland defender battles with Ayoze Perez for the ball . Vergini celebrates with team-mate Costel Pantilimon at the full-time whistle following the Wear-Tyne derby win . A successful completion of new head coach Dick Advocaat's mission to keep the Black Cats in the Premier League could have significant consequences for Vergini, and he is open to what might come his way. He told the Sunderland Echo: 'In the contract, it is written that if we stay in the Premier League, I can stay here for another two years. I feel very comfortable here, both at the club and outside the club, so I would be very keen to stay. 'The only downside is the climate and the weather, but even that has been good for the last few days! 'It has been very good to play regularly [this season] and I am very happy. I think with time, I have been able to adapt more to the style of play and also to my team-mates. Vergini helped Sunderland keep a clean sheet in the derby win as he makes a slide tackle on Perez . Sunderland initially signed Vergini on loan in January 2014, with the defender making his debut in an FA Cup fourth round clash with Kidderminster where he makes an attempt to tackle Jack Bryne . 'Apart from the struggles we are going through in the league, I have felt very comfortable.' Victory over the Magpies - their first in nine games in all competitions - eased Sunderland into 15th place and three points clear of the relegation zone. However, that could count for little if Advocaat's men fail to build upon it when Crystal Palace head north on Saturday. Vergini said: 'Every win brings with it a lot of confidence and with a derby game, that is even more the case. In our next game, we need to show the same character and the same spirit as we did on Sunday.'
target: Santiago Vergini is on a season-long loan at Sunderland .
  Defender has an option for a two-year deal at Black Cats if they stay up .
  Argentine admits only downside at Wearside has been the weather .