Ross reveals reason Flanagan left out of squad for Oxford draw
JACK Ross has explained why Tom Flanagan was left out against Oxford United at the weekend.
After helping Sunderland keep a clean sheet in their win over AFC Wimbledon, the Northern Ireland international centre-back was a surprise omission from the starting XI at the Kassam Stadium, dropping to the bench as Jack Baldwin made his first start for almost a month instead.
But Ross has revealed that Flanagan’s partner gave birth last week, and he had been given a few days off, which meant he did not rejoin training until Thursday.
Flanagan was on the bench at Oxford but will be back in contention for a start tomorrow, when the Black Cats take on Blackpool at the Stadium of Light.
“Tom’s partner had a baby last week, so Tom did not train until the end of the week,” said Ross.
“He wasn’t in at all until Thursday. “I didn’t say anything last week because I am a bit reluctant to share things about people’s private lives, because it is their business. But now the baby has arrived and everything is fine, I can say why.”
Midfielder Lee Cattermole could also line up against Blackpool, having missed the last two games due to an ankle injury.
Ross said: “Lee trained today, and everybody else from the weekend is fit and healthy so we have a lot of different options – it’s just a question of making sure we put together the right permutations.” Sunderland drew 1-1 at Oxford, taking the lead only to be pegged back as they have been in four of their last five league games. Ross admits Sunderland have not been playing well and has hinted at making changes tomorrow.
He said: “We’ve got games in quick succession, Tuesday-Friday, so we will need to utilise the squad for that reason. There are several players who, while they are not playing obviously poorly, they are not at the levels where I think they could be at, and I think they also realise that.
“This is an honest group and Saturday hurt them because they are not at the level they want to be at, but they are determined to get there.”