Sunderland manager Jack Ross has confirmed that the injury and suspensions suffered at the club could see Kazaiah Sterling return from the cold after struggling to make the first team during his loan spell.
The 20-year-old headed to the north east in a last minute move in the January window but despite featuring in the first game possible at the Stadium of Light, he had not been seen by the fans until an injury time substitution against Barnsley.
With Duncan Watmore, George Honeyman and Charlie Wyke all potentially missing out against Walsall this weekend, Honeyman suspended for the next three games, Ross has confirmed the situation could see Sterling return from the cold.
Speaking of the Black Cats’ squad issues, he told the Sunderland Echo: “It may open up an opportunity for him. It’s simply been the players we’ve had and the balance we’ve needed on the bench. The situation from Saturday opens up opportunities for a number of players, either to start games or be involved in the squad.
“He’s a nice young man, he’s continued to do things properly. The reality for me is that I can’t treat him any differently to if he was my player here.I know he had experience training with the first team at Spurs, he’s with us every single day and it’s about maintaining those standards every day.”
“He’s been good, he’s responded well to it and then it’ll be up to him when the opportunity opens up for him how he takes.”
Opinion
Sterling would certainly have been planning for more game time than he has picked up in the north east and so to hear that he could be given a lifeline by Ross this weekend will be music to his ears. he does of course have to prove his worth and not be expecting to be handed a regular role just because he is on loan from Tottenham but at the same time Sunderland surely researched his qualities and abilities and judged him worthy of playing among the senior side. His one appearance so far suggests that there are better options than him at the Stadium of Light right now and this injury and suspension setback could prove to be a rare, if not only, shot for him to prove just what he has got to offer before the end of the season. If nothing else, his loan will have given him a clear idea of what it means to be a professional footballer trying to forge a career among the first team.