Willis set for action in Trophy clash after bout of illness
‘IMPORTANT COMPETITION’ TO CATS – ASSISTANT BOSS
JORDAN Willis is set to return for Sunderland’s EFL Trophy clash against Port Vale tonight – with the Black Cats also planning to involved a number of their academy talents.
Sunderland face the Valiants at the Stadium of Light in a last-16 tie, with Lee Johnson ready to make changes in order to rest some of his first-teamers and give game time to others who need it.
Centre-back Willis missed the weekend draw against promotion rivals Hull City through illness but he has resumed training and is in line to start, most likely in place of on-loan Wolves defender Dion Sanderson, who is cup-tied.
New signing Carl Winchester is also cup-tied and therefore ineligible.
Johnson said last week that Elliot Embleton would start against Port Vale, while youngsters such as Dan Neil, Ollie Younger, and Mitch Curry are also expected to be in the matchday squad.
Johnson’s assistant Jamie McAllister said: “Carl and Dion are both cup-tied.
“Jordan will come back in after missing the game at the weekend through illness. He is a lot better, he trained today and looked good.
“Dan Neil, Elliot Embleton and a few of the other lads from the U23s will come into contention – players like Ollie Younger and Mitch Curry are in the squad.
“We want to name a team strong enough to win, and also a bench with players that can come on and make an impact.
“There are a few little niggles from Saturday that we will look after and manage, but it’s a case of getting the right balance and winning the game to get through to the next round.
“We’ll put out a team that is competitive and we need to start scoring some goals.
“The lads that are coming in – we’ve got good wingers, good lads that can play in the number ten role, and the two strikers, so it is an opportunity for the lads to come in and get some goals.
“It’s a balancing act but the depth and the quality we have got in the squad, whoever comes in will be more than capable.”
Other players who are likely to be given game time include Danny Graham, Aiden O’Brien, Chris Maguire, George Dobson and Lynden Gooch, who have not been in the starting line-up of late.
Goalkeeper Lee Burge was substituted at half-time against Hull after receiving stitches in a wound around his eye and he has not yet begun training again, although he was likely to have been rested against Vale in any case with either Remi Matthews or academy graduate Anthony Patterson set to be given a chance.
Defender Conor McLaughlin also went off at the weekend, in his case as a precaution as he is suffering from a hernia issue, and he is unlikely to figure tomorrow.
“Burgey is all right,” said McAllister. “He has a few stitches around his eye, but he is a brave lad and he has had a few knocks in his time.
“He’s desperate to get back in training but the doctor is just being a bit careful just in case of any concussion.
“His eye looks a lot better today. “And Conor had a groin problem which we will need to monitor.”
Port Vale parted company with manager John Askey last week after slipping out of the League Two play-off places, and interim manager Danny Pugh oversaw a 3-0 home win against Grimsby Town at the weekend.
McAllister said: “It’ll be a tough game. Port Vale had a good 3-0 win against Grimsby at the weekend.
“They are in the process of changing their manager so their players will be out to impress, but it’s about what we do.
“It’s an important competition to us. It’s another game that we want to win.”
We want to name a team strong enough to win, and also a bench with players that can come on and make an impact