Wat a pair we will be when we are both totally fit
FORWARD EXCITED TO PLAY WITH WYKE AS DUO CONTINUE TO MAKE PROGRESS
I just said to him, as soon as he goes up in the air I am thinking, ‘Get on the end of this.’ I am looking forward to playing with him Duncan Watmore
DUNCAN Watmore can already see the makings of a good partnership as he and Charlie Wyke make their returns from injury.
The speedy Watmore is looking forward to linking up with targetman Wyke to continue the feel-good factor around the Stadium of Light.
The pair were substitutes in the 1-0 Boxing Day win over Bradford City.
It was Watmore’s fifth appearance since injuring his anterior cruciate knee ligaments for the second time and Wyke’s first since re-injuring his knee at Burton in mid-September.
Manager Jack Ross is determined to take it steadily with both but happy to talk up the impact they can have in the second half of the season.
If top scorer Josh Maja was sold in January they could be even more important.
“I enjoy playing with him, even just in training,” said Watmore, who has exclusively been used at centre-forward by Ross.
“From what I have seen of him he looks a really good player and I just said to him, as soon as he goes up in the air I am thinking, ‘Get on the end of this.’
“I am looking forward to playing with him.
“I feel like I probably don’t have the match fitness and sharpness yet to maintain that from the start.
“That is something I am going to have to get used to and when the manager wants me to start that is a challenge I will have to overcome.
“At the moment I feel like I can have a positive impact coming off the bench.”
Ross’ preferred formation is 4-2-3-1 but he has used two up front on occasion this season.
Thirteen-goal Maja has been a regular and Chris Maguire can appear as a second striker or “false nine” while Lynden Gooch can play off a frontman but has been used more from deeper positions.
On-loan Jerome Sinclair is an out-and-out striker but is yet to get to grips with League One football.
Maja is out of contract at the end of the season and unless he signs a new deal before the transfer window re-opens on Tuesday his club will have a decision to make on whether to cash in now or take a small compensation payment in the summer. Ross has already said he expects clarity soon.
That uncertainty apart, the Stadium of Light mood has been extremely positive, Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at league leaders Portsmouth doing little to puncture the optimism. “The red card at Fratton Park completely changed the dynamics,” added Watmore, who was making his first league start under Ross. “It was extremely frustrating but it is a long season and we responded with three points. “I have to mention the fans, 46,000. That was incredible, a testament to them and this club. From all the players, thanks so much.
“You can use that energy from them on the pitch. The positivity, it was so good for us. I just think everyone has that positive vibe.
“The new owners, coaches, staff, fans, there is just a really good vibe about the place.
“People are talking about Sunderland in a positive light which is really nice and I am really happy to be part of that.”
Watmore enjoyed playing in front of the biggest third-tier crowd for 39 years.
He said: “That is what you play football for.
“I enjoy football most when I am running at players, driving down the pitch with space to attack. I had the chance to do that on Wednesday and the reaction from the fans really does lift you.
“I feel very lucky, with the care I have had from the club and everyone around me.
“Everything is almost like a bonus - 30 years ago I would not be playing. I have to keep reminding myself of that.”