Leadbitter is in line to be Grant-ed a place in final
SCHEMER IS SET TO PLAY AT WEMBLEY AFTER SHAKING OFF SHOULDER INJURY
GRANT Leadbitter will be in the squad for Sunderland’s EFL Trophy final appearance at Wembley this weekend - keeping alive his hopes of winning silverware with his hometown club at the age of 35.
The midfielder dislocated his shoulder in the Black Cats’ draw at Crewe just over a fortnight ago but has been back in training this week.
Defender Conor McLaughlin has also been passed fit to play in tomorrow’s final against Tranmere Rovers after having an injection to cure lingering pain following a hernia operation.
However, centre-back Bailey Wright has lost his race to be fit to play in the final, while winger Jordan Jones and forward Aiden O’Brien both face late fitness tests after picking up minor injuries in the midweek win at Portsmouth.
Head coach Lee Johnson (pictured below) said: “I really think Grant is ready to play.
“Grant will be in the squad.
“He has trained for the last three or four days - he has tried to get up close and personal to test his shoulder out and he has looked good.
“He has a light brace on his shoulder just to protect him in certain movements but I think he will be OK and I would not have any fears about putting him on the pitch.”
Jones and O’Brien both suffered muscle tightness against Pompey and will be checked tomorrow, although Johnson believes O’Brien has a better chance of being involved on Sunday than on-loan Rangers man Jones.
He added: “We will have a look at Aiden. We will try and leave it as long as possible.
“We are not sure about Jordan - he is a bit like Aiden.
“We will give him a fitness test but he is probably less likely to be available.” McLaughlin returned from his hernia surgery in mid-February and played five games but was still in some discomfort, which meant he needed an injection to ease the problem. Wright has
Grant will be in the squad. He has trained for the last three or four days . . . he has looked good.
Lee Johnson
not played since suffering a calf injury in the Trophy semi-final win against Lincoln City on Wearside last month.
While the Australian international was targeting a return at Wembley that will not now happen.
Johnson said: “Conor should be back if we need him but Bailey is out.
“There is no setback for Bailey but it was always going to be a tight timescale. Because we have had so many games it feels like he has been out for a long time.
“What you have to remember is he had a grade three calf strain and he has been out for less than 20 days!
“We tried to leave it until yesterday to see if he could do it. It was OK but it really just needs that little bit longer to heal.” Full-back Denver Hume is on the road to recovery from a serious hamstring injury he suffered in early December and recently started training - but he will not be ready to play in the final. Johnson added: “Denver is nearly there but this game will probably come just a bit too soon for him.
“I have been very pleased with his movement and progression over the last few weeks.” Sunderland will also be without three cup-tied players at Wembley, with defender Dion Sanderson having already played in the competition for Wolves Under-21s, schemer Carl Winchester for Forest Green and full-back Jake Vokins for Southampton Under-21s.