Phil Smith has insisted that Ross Stewart should be able to make the Sunderland squad at least this weekend.
Stewart has been plagued by injuries for the majority of this season which has hampered his own development, but also the progress of the Black Cats and the striker has only played one game under manager Tony Mowbray.
The Scotland international was expected to be involved on Monday night against West Brom but wasn’t risked by Mowbray, although after with his teammates this week seems likely he will at least make the bench tomorrow.
After speaking to Mowbray, Smith insisted on the Sunderland Echo YouTube channel that Stewart should be in the squad vs Hull City.
(0:10) “The big question is Ross Stewart, is he going to be fit, is he going to be available on Saturday? My guess is he’ll make the squad, he’s had a full training session today [Thursday] which is obviously really positive.
Should Ross Stewart start vs Hull City?
Yes!
No!
“Tony Mowbray didn’t want to get too carried away he didn’t want to commit to anything because he thought he was going to feature on Monday but he couldn’t quite make it.”
TIF Thoughts on Stewart’s return to fitness…
There’s no doubt that when Stewart is finally back fully fit and firing for the Black Cats they should become a more dangerous and lethal team in the final third as he’s been their main source of goals since the start of last season.
Stewart has only played seven matches in the Championship this season but he certainly didn’t waste any time in letting people know what he was all about having netted five goals in those games which proved he was capable of doing it at this level.
While Ellis Simms has been leading the line in Stewart’s absence whenever he’s been fit, the loanee only has five goals in 14 appearances this season so isn’t as prolific, but the fact he can at least do a decent job will allow Mowbray to take his time with Stewart and not thrust him into the side sooner than necessary.