Rodwell keen to go back to the future

Jack Rodwell is exploring the possibility of rebooting his Sunderland career as a centre-back.

The 26-year-old, a marquee signing for the Black Cats in the summer of 2014, has struggled to get into the first team this season.

He played at centre-back for the U23s last night, for the second game in succession, as Elliott Dickman’s side edged out Hertha Berlin in 2-0 Premier League International Cup win.

The coach revealed he was happy to give Rodwell (pictured) the opportunity in that position after getting the go-ahead from manager Simon Grayson.

Grayson said: “I think he’s had a conversation with the manager and is quite keen to play in that position and see how it goes.

“The two games he’s played in, I think he’s done well.

“He’s helped Thomas Beadling and Denver Hume – he’s an old head in there, he’s helped the lads.

“If that’s where he wants to play and the manager is comfortable with it, then I am as well.

“I can only speak for what he’s like around us, but he’s really, really good with the lads and the staff. He’s got an experienced head, he knows all the situations, he’s done great for us.”

Duncan Watmore and Paddy McNair completed 45 minutes against Hertha, with the latter marking his comeback with a first-half goal.

The hosts faced plenty of pressure in the second half but sealed the points with a late Beadling penalty, after Jack Diamond was fouled in the box.

Dickman was pleased with his side’s application in an at-times physical and spiky encounter, and paid tribute to McNair as he made a successful return.

He said: “He’s a talented young lad. We forget that he’s still quite young. (Last night) would have done him the world of good – he might not think that in the morning when he’s a bit stiff and a bit sore, but that’s what is about, that phased progression.

“The medical team have been fantastic with Duncan and it will be the same with Paddy. Hopefully he’ll keep progressing with those minutes and be in the manager’s thoughts sooner rather than later.

“The lads came together (v Hertha) – the senior lads were fantastic and the younger ones too, who, in the second half, showed a real dogged determination.”