Mowbray must unleash 22 y/o after O’Nien update

Sunderland return to motion within the Championship this afternoon as they face promotion-chasing Luton City on the Stadium of Mild.

The Black Cats have misplaced four of their final 5 matches within the division and can be hoping to go into the upcoming worldwide break on a excessive.

Tony Mowbray’s facet have been overwhelmed 2-1 by Sheffield United, regardless of taking the lead via Edouard Michut, on Wednesday evening and there might be at the least one change for the top coach to make.

Luke O’Nien started the sport at left-back and was compelled off with an harm within the 87th minute, which might trigger him points forward of in the present day’s match.

Talking in regards to the defender’s scenario, Mowbray said:

“I believe it was only a kick and a conflict, and but it’s a bit regarding as a result of Luke O’Nien is not someone who could be hobbling about or staying down from an harm, so we’ll see over the subsequent day or two.”

Nonetheless, the top coach later added that the defender needs to be “okay” to be within the squad.

Who might exchange Luke O’Nien?

With pure left-backs Dennis Cirkin and Aji Alese out, the Black Cats supervisor should keep away from risking aggravating any concern for O’Nien by handing a begin to January signing Joe Anderson.

Though the versatile ace could also be ‘okay’, there isn’t a must threat him when there’s one other participant in Anderson who might step in. Whereas the 22-year-old performs within the coronary heart of the defence by commerce, the Englishman can be able to enjoying at left-back.

He has been deployed as a full-back in 23 matches in his youth profession – together with an extra 65 at centre-back – and this implies that the enforcer is comfy that includes on the flank.

Anderson might additionally enhance the workforce’s build-up play out from the again, with Mowbray describing him being a naturally left-footed participant as a “rarity” upon his arrival.

O’Nien – a right-footed gem – solely created one likelihood in his final four appearances and the ex-Everton man produced 0.8 key passes per match within the EFL Trophy earlier this time period.

The 22-year-old, who made 3.3 tackles and interceptions per sport within the EFL Trophy this season, did catch the attention in his cameo in opposition to Millwall final month – making four tackles and interceptions in simply 12 minutes on the pitch.

Journalist Josh Bunting as soon as hailed the defender as “impressive” and his statistics in his brief Championship debut proved that he has the potential to be simply that within the second tier.

Due to this fact, Mowbray should unleash the battler rather than O’Nien he might be a wonderful stand-in at left-back along with his defensive and artistic skill.