Lafferty’s impact is a bonus for Phil
COVENTRY CITY v SUNDERLAND Sky Sports, ko 12pm
NORTHERN Ireland international Kyle Lafferty has been told he has given Sunderland’s League One promotion bid a major boost.
Even though the striker has barely kicked a ball for his new club. The former Rangers hitman has yet to start a league game for the Black Cats.
And despite scoring in a behind-closed-doors 5-2 friendly win against Carlisle in midweek, the 32-year-old is likely to be on the bench once again for today’s high noon showdown at Coventry.
Manager Phil Parkinson, however, could not be more delighted with Lafferty’s impact since arriving at the Stadium of Light after a spell with Finnish club Sarpsborg 08.
“He’s definitely making a big contribution, though perhaps not in the way he’d have wanted in an ideal world,” said the Sunderland boss.
“Naturally, he wants to make more of an impact in terms of game-time and scoring a few goals but he’s certainly doing his bit.
“He came on against Ipswich recently and played his part in the winning goal.
“But he’s been influential in other areas too.”
Charlie Wyke (below), the forward most under threat from Lafferty, has doubled his goals tally from three to six since the Irishman came in.
And, according to Parkinson, he now looks a different player.
“I think that when you bring someone in of Kyle’s standing, other players go up a notch,” he added. “That’s what good competition does.
“He’s certainly improved Charlie, who has really risen to the challenge. In fact, the three front players are all contributing right now, either scoring or making goals.
“Kyle might have expected to be playing more but his attitude in and around the lads, has been excellent.”
Thousands of Sunderland fans are heading for St Andrew’s today.
They will be hoping to see Parkinson’s men maintain the form which has taken them from mid-table to fourth place, just three points behind the Sky Blues.
The Black Cats’ boss knows that a tenth win in 15 games will increase expectations of a top two finish, but he insists there is a long way to go.
“Of course victory will send out a message, but nothing will be decided this weekend,” he said.
“We will have a huge following down there, so it’s our job to play like the home team.”