Break will benefit us, says Dodds

MIKE Dodds believes his struggling Sunderland team will benefit from the forthcoming international break, but is focusing on today’s “really important” game against Queens Park Rangers.

The Black Cats have lost six Championship games in a row and are desperate to arrest the slide, with Dodds having been on the wrong end of four of them while at the helm.

The interim head coach has had injuries to key players and the club have slumped out of play-off contention and sit closer to the relegation zone.

Dodds is determined the season isn’t a write-off with so many games still to be played and wants to complete the campaign as high up the table as possible.

Sunderland remain stuck on 47 points, which they have been for the past six weeks.

Having a rest during the international break will certainly help his squad but Dodds is keen to go into the two-week period without a game on a positive note.

Speaking to the We Are Sunderland website, Dodds looked ahead to the clash with the relegation-threatened Londoners and said: “It is a big game, I’m fully aware of that.

“They’ve improved under the new coach. I’ve already watched a few of their games. They’re really well organised out of possession so that will be a real challenge for us. But we have a full week to prepare. It’s a really important game for us.”

Jack Clarke’s absence through injury has been a huge blow for Dodds in recent weeks, but he is hoping the winger will be close to returning after this month’s halt in play.

He added: “The international break I think will be important for us as a group, because after the international break hopefully we’ll get some injuries back, which will lift everyone.

“Regardless of whether it’s QPR or Southampton, there are no easy games and they all pose different challenges.

“QPR’s style of play will be completely different to Southampton’s.

“Our approach might have to be tweaked slightly because of that but we know we have to win sooner rather than later.”