The latest edition of the Sunderland round-up looks at the latest news from the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats put up a brave fight against Fulham in their FA Cup replay but were narrowly beaten. However, they bounced back with three points in their next game.
We also have news on Ross Stewart’s contract situation and also the latest injury news and team news ahead of the midweek trip to Queens Park Rangers.
Sunderland Round-Up: Team News, Injury Latest and Ross Stewart Update
Ross Stewart Injury and Contract Latest
Head coach Tony Mowbray gave an update on Ross Stewart’s injury and also his contract situation. Despite the club triggering a 12-month extension on his current deal, Mowbray is keen for the player to be tied down to a long-term deal. He said: “Ross has had his surgery and has gone back to Scotland for a week.
“It’s not something you can rush from the first day, with the tenderness of an operation. He needs to let it settle down, and then the proper rehab will start in a week or so once the swelling and soreness from the operation has gone down.
“I would expect those talks to intensify,” Mowbray replied when asked how Stewart’s injury could impact contract talks. “I think we should be trying to get Ross Stewart signed up long-term.
“If you believe in the footballer and the guy, that’s the most important thing. Maybe the dynamics of it change a little bit for both parties, but the key thing in my mind would be to get an offer that looks enticing for Ross and his family. Let’s get him tied up, and let’s move forward.”
Team News and Injury Latest
Tony Mowbray also spoke about the upcoming midweek game at QPR advising who and who will not be available for the trip to the capital. Alongside long-term absentees Ross Stewart, Corry Evans and Elliot Embleton, Mowbray will still be without Lynden Gooch who has missed the last three games with a knee injury and he is not expecting him back in the near future. He said: “I think it will be a few more weeks for Lynden. He’s not on the grass, I haven’t seen him out there even with the physios yet.”
One player who could be involved is Dennis Cirkin. The fullback was injured while scoring the equaliser in the recent draw at Millwall. Cirkin was knocked unconscious and was required to undergo concussion protocols before being able to play again. He missed the FA Cup replay against Fulham and the home victory over Reading. He is now however available for selection. “Dennis is travelling – he has trained the last few days and feels alright so is back and available,” Mowbray said.
Mowbray also hinted that he could make some changes due to the recent hectic schedule. Luke O’Nien and Alex Pritchard are possible starters having recently returned from suspension and injury. Mowbray said: “I think we might look to change a couple of things.
“You have to be careful, you can’t change your whole team, but I think there’s a few players that while they’re not really underperforming, they’re maybe not quite at the heights they would be if they were only playing one game a week.
“It’s a midweek game, and we’ve got another big home game coming up at the weekend against Bristol City. You have to be mindful of the schedule, although you never go, ‘Let’s not worry about this one and then win this one’ – you want to win them all. But you have to try to trust your squad as you’re doing it.”
Sunderland Round-Up: Defeat in Cup Replay but Championship Victory Follows
Sunderland, the last North East team left in the FA Cup put up a spirited display but in the end, suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat at the hands of Premier League high flyers Fulham in their fourth-round replay. The Black Cats, without a recognised striker and fielding a team with many youngsters and also bringing on 15-year-old Chris Rigg as a substitute, matched their opponents for long spells and were unlucky not to at least take the game into extra time. The team gave their all and can be proud of their efforts.
Tony Mowbray’s men returned to league action on Saturday at home to Paul Ince’s Reading. A game of few clear-cut chances was settled by a superb move and finish from Patrick Roberts on 84 minutes. The Black Cats were able to see the game out in front of more than 38,000 fans. The three points saw Sunderland move up to seventh place, one point away from the playoff places.
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