IT’ AF Josh s
WYCOMBE 1
JACK ROSS is confident Sunderland can keep teenage strike sensation Josh Maja for the season – and beyond.
The youngster came off the bench to rescue a point against Wycombe six minutes from time to take his goal tally to 11 this term.
His form is giving the club a headache.
The 19- year- old’s deal ends in the summer and he is being tracked by a host of leading sides.
Black Cats manager Ross would love him to sign long term, but talks have been going on a while and, if Sunderland can’t tie him down soon, a £ 5million bid might be too good to turn down in January.
Ross said: “He will be here minimum until January. I would expect him to be here longer. I am confident.
“I know he is enjoying it. He is playing and contributing. To get 11 goals so far, he deserves huge credit.”
Ross reckons Maja might not get a better club to learn and achie ve than Sunderland on the up.
He added: “He is levelheaded. He trusts he will get better here. I believe we can improve him. There are not many better clubs than this.
“He has built a good relationship with me and my staff. His ability to hit the back of the net, even when the chances are not e a s y, is excellent.”
Maja reinvigorated Sunderland, but yesterday was a missed opportunity.
So much has changed in the last six months.
Debts wiped off, costs cut, the stadium spruced up, hungry new players and manager – but the ability to frustrate remains.
They were chasing a clubrecord-equalling ninth win in a row. A rise to the top of League One was on the cards and 30,000 fans saw them try to turn the screw on their third-tier rivals.
But they could only muster an insi p id performance for the first 75 minutes, with stars such as Aiden McGeady ( below) failing to hit the net.
Wy c omb e de s e r v ed ly opened the scoring in the 67th minute after their tenacity had p u n c tu re d Sunderland’s attacking threat. In a game of few chances, Fred Onyedinma popped up in the box unmarked to volley home a loose ball from 15 yards.
But when George Honeyman burst to the byline, his cross broke for Maja, unmarked eight yards out, and he rifled home.
Despite the late setback, Chairboys boss Gareth Ainsworth was delighted with his players’ display.
He said: “We were the better side in the first half, then Sunderland piled pressure on us in the last 15 minutes.
“I am proud we didn’ t crumble. We came here and compet ed with the l eague’s best team.”