The 21-year-old spent time on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United during the 2013-14 campaign, but returned to the Premier League side in March and provided a much-needed goal threat for Gus Poyet.
Wickham scored five goals in nine appearances to help pull Sunderland clear of the relegation zone and wants to kick on and become a regular starter in the future.
"The aim is to be the main striker next season," he told the Shields Gazette. "I'll take a break, switch off, relax and have a bit of chill out time. Then I'll start doing my training and start thinking about it.
"I'll make sure I do the right training and make sure I put myself in the manager's thoughts when we come back.
"There's a lot of competition for places, particularly as (Steven) Fletcher is going to come back
"But it's down to me and what I can do, I've just got to be better than anyone in my position."
Wickham arrived at the Stadium of Light from Ipswich Town in 2011 for £8million, but has struggled to break into the first team until his flurry of goals helped to safeguard Sunderland's top-flight safety.
'People will remember us because we got to No.1 in the world rankings and achieved great things - but our biggest regret is that we didn’t win anything': Ex-Everton star Kevin Mirallas opens up on 'honour' of being part of nation's golden generation
‘I’m sure we’d have finished in the top four or five if he hadn’t joined Chelsea in January. Him leaving damaged the team, but we couldn’t stand in his way’: Alan Curbishley reflects on failed Champions League dream after selling key player
