Sunderland and Wigan see Fleetwood fixtures postponed due to Covid-19

Sunderland’s home game against Fleetwood has been postponed due to positive Covid-19 cases within the visitors’ squad.

Fleetwoodweresettotravel totheStadiumofLightonSunday, January 2, while The Cod Army have announced their trip to Wigan, scheduled to be playedonWednesday,December 29, will also be rearranged.

A Fleetwood statement read: “The Club has worked hard to ensure that it has been able to fulfil the fixture, however, taking into account the number of injuries and positive Covid-19 cases within the squad, the Club does not have a sufficient number of players available in order to fulfil the fixture.”

Sunderland’s League One game against Sheffield Wednesday is still set to take place on Thursday, December 30, despite a Covid-19 in the

Owls’ squad.

The postponement of the Fleetwood game means the Black Cats’ first game in 2022 will be away at Wycombe on Saturday, January 8.

Here, we take a look at how Sunderlandfansreactedtothe news on social media:

@THEMACKEM1: “It’ll give the team a well deserved rest and to prepare for a hard January any hopefully go and get a couple of plays in before

Pompey.”

@tomderivan73: “Sick of this. Fans messed around again.Anautomaticforfeitand a3-0losstothesidecallingitoff would put an end to it.”

@ConnorGardner:“Gutted, hopefully it’s the only one that effects us this season. Good but rest for the lads though after Thursday till the next one, make the most of it.”

*With Lee Johnson short in the striking department, somethingformerSunderland player and pundit Kevin Phillips has noticed.

When asked by Football Insider where Sunderland needed to strengthen in January, Phillipssaid:“Ithinktheyneed to bring in another forward.

“Somebody who can get goals, especially after the injury to Broadhead. They need to bringsomeoneinwhocantake the pressure off Ross Stewart.

“Iwouldliketoseesomeone whocanattackcrossesbecause they create a lot in wide positions. I think the midfield area is looking pretty solid. There is cover in most positions, especiallywhentheinjuredplayers come back.

“Aforwardwouldbethepriority for me. Somebody who can come in and score 10 goals between now and the end of the season. That would hopefully be enough to secure promotion.”