Sunderland handed Dennis Cirkin boost

A promising harm replace has emerged concerning Sunderland full-back Dennis Cirkin forward of a return to Championship motion this week.

What’s the discuss?

Black Cats supervisor Tony Mowbray has revealed that the centre-back has returned to coaching throughout the worldwide break, after lacking the final two matches with a hamstring issue.

The 59-year-old informed the club’s official website: “Ellis [Simms] is progressing and can hopefully be a bit nearer – we’ll have to attend and see.

“Dennis Cirkin is again out on the grass which is nice for us, and he is aware of the competitors too with Aji Alese’s performances. We have now choices going ahead with our broad attackers and our quantity 10s, so we’ll make sure to adapt.”

Mowbray ought to be delighted

The Sunderland head coach ought to be delighted with Cirkin’s return, as it’s a massive increase to the squad forward of their conflict towards Preston on the weekend.

Previous to his harm, the defender was an important participant within the crew as he began all eight of their matches within the Championship on the left aspect of a again three, with each Alex Neil and Mowbray choosing him within the beginning XI.

Is that this a giant increase for Sunderland?

He has averaged 3.1 tackles and interceptions per recreation – bettered only by Luke O’Nien and Corry Evans – and gained 56% of his particular person duels, which reveals that he has been sturdy defensively and has not been a weak hyperlink on the again.

Journalist Josh Bunting hailed Cirkin’s significance to the Black Cats, lately tweeting: “He’s been one of many standout performers this season if not the standout performer to be truthful. Can’t afford to lose him.”

This comes after the 20-year-old was pivotal to the membership’s promotion from League One final time period. He performed 37 occasions within the third tier, beginning 34 video games as he established himself as a daily within the crew after his transfer from Premier League outfit Tottenham.

Cirkin’s versatility additionally makes him a helpful participant for Mowbray to have the ability to name upon, as he’s capable of enjoying at centre-back and left-back. That implies that he can be utilized out broad in a again 4 or three and within the coronary heart of the defence as a part of a 3, alongside the likes of Danny Batth and O’Nien.

Due to this fact, his return implies that the supervisor has a flexible, necessary member of the squad again accessible, and that’s the reason Mowbray ought to be delighted with the full-back’s restoration from harm.