Sunderland must unleash Pierre Ekwah

Sunderland flip their consideration away from Championship motion this night as they host Fulham on the Stadium of Gentle within the fourth spherical of the FA Cup.

The 2 sides held one another to a 1-1 draw within the preliminary tie at Craven Cottage and can now struggle for a spot within the fifth spherical on this replay on Wearside.

Tony Mowbray’s aspect come into the sport off the again of a 1-1 draw with Millwall away from house within the Championship and should look to rotate his group for this cup conflict, forward of one other league fixture at house on the weekend.

One participant who have to be unleashed for his full debut in a Black Cats shirt is January signing Pierre Ekwah, who arrived on a everlasting deal from Premier League aspect West Ham United.

The 21-year-old central midfielder has made late cameo appearances off the bench within the group’s final two aggressive outings however this replay presents the supervisor a possibility to begin the Frenchman for the primary time, offering him with an opportunity to shine.

With captain Corry Evans out for the remainder of the season attributable to an harm, Mowbray’s choices in the midst of the park may must be managed fastidiously to keep away from burnout and bringing Ekwah in would permit Edouard Michut to relaxation forward of the weekend’s conflict with Studying.

Ought to Pierre Ekwah begin?

In his two outings instead up to now, the previous Hammers gem has proven indicators of promise by successful 100% of his duels and making three interceptions, one clearance, and one deal with mixed.

Chatting with The Chronicle forward of the January transfer, journalist Jonty Colman hailed the teenager: “Pierre Ekwah is an all-action midfielder who has good means in varied areas, equivalent to work-rate, defending and getting ahead to contribute with assaults.

“He is likely one of the extra senior gamers in a largely younger West Ham Underneath-21s aspect, with the vast majority of the older gamers at present out on mortgage, or shifting on to new golf equipment, equivalent to Aji Alese.”

Earlier this season, the battler backed up Colman’s declare within the EFL Trophy for West Ham’s U21s because the gem averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.00 throughout three appearances – making two tackles and interceptions and two key passes per sport.

These statistics present that the 21-year-old is an ‘all-action’ midfielder who could make key contributions at each ends of the pitch, by successful the ball again for his aspect after which utilizing his high quality in possession to create possibilities for his teammates.

Mowbray should now unleash Ekwah from the beginning tonight, providing the gem an opportunity to shine for the primary time at Sunderland, to see if he can stay as much as the hype and put himself in rivalry for an everyday function within the aspect within the second half of the marketing campaign.