Mason to strike it rich for Mowbray

MASON BURSTOW is being backed to hit the goal trail for in-form Sunderland – once his team-mates learn to play with a striker again.

The Chelsea loanee, 20, has started the Black Cats’ last two games without having had a sniff of a chance.

It didn’t prevent Tony Mowbray’s young bucks from rattling off successive 3-1 wins on the road.

And they face Cardiff at the Stadium of Light today looking like genuine promotion contenders again.

They finished in the top six last term despite playing without a recognised forward for the second half of the campaign.

And, going into this weekend, Sunderland were the Championship’s top scorers despite no goals from a striker.

Burstow arrived from Stamford Bridge with a glowing reputation and Mowbray is convinced the goals will soon start flowing.

“He’s still learning how we play and we’re having to adapt to having someone like him around again,” said the Black Cats chief.

“Of course we don’t want to change everything we do just because we’ve got a striker who can run in behind.

“And we certainly won’t start playing a lot of long balls to him. He has to drop in and knot the team together.

“But I’ve no doubt he’ll score goals for us.

“From what I’ve already seen, I think it’s a good marriage and he’ll enjoy his time here.

“Once he gets up and running, the lad will be fine.”

Mowbray’s squad is the youngest in all four divisions and he knows Jack Clarke, Dan Neil, Dan Ballard & Co are attracting Premier League interest.

He added: “A lot of these players will be plying their trade in the Premier League in a year or two.

“Hopefully that will be with Sunderland.”