Return of Hume means James must continue to shine

DENVER Hume’s return to fitness will keep Reece James on his toes, insists Jack Ross.

James has made Sunderland’s left-back spot his own since early October, with Hume picking up a serious knee injury at the end of the previous month and with his replacement Bryan Oviedo then serving a threematch ban after which he struggled to force his way back into the side. Oviedo did start a couple of games over the Christmas period but since then the Costa Rica international has suffered a series of injuries which let James back in.

Oviedo is expected to return to training next week but academy graduate Hume is fit again and played in Sunderland’s midweek behind-closed-doors friendly win over Carlisle United at the Academy of Light.

Ross rates Hume highly and while James is in the side on merit at present, it means the former Wigan Athletic man cannot allow his performances to dip.

“I think Reece’s performances have shown that he has deserved to play,” said Ross.

“He’s been consistent, and he has to be to keep good players out of the team.

“Not only Bryan, but now Denver too. Denver is back fit and people forget that earlier in the season he was really good.

“He played in the bounce game the other day and has trained really well. He is getting closer. We’ve also got Adam [Matthews] who can’t get in the team at the moment and he can play in either full-back role.”