Key Sunderland pair fit for clash against Rovers
BRISTOL City striker Famara Diedhiou is growing in confidence again after righting the wrong done to him by Birmingham City.
The Robins’ assistant head coach Jamie McAllister said Diedhiou’s fifth goal of the season, the winner in the 1-0 victory away at the Blues on Saturday, will help him draw a line under the controversial ban for allegedly spitting against Birmingham last season which kept him out for the first six games of 2018-19.
McAllister said: “I think he has been inconsistent at times in games, but he is a real handful.
“He is a big player for us and he is strong in so many departments and maybe he has been lacking a bit of confidence at times but that will come.
“He gives us that platform. He makes good runs, has a good touch and he can score goals. Everyone in the team goes through ups and downs of confidence and form throughout the season, but what he gives us off the ball is significant. He is hard-working and a real team player as well.”
Talking about the ban, McAllister said: “It was poor what happened last year. We dealt with it and got on with it.
“It wasn’t right but we got on with it and responded to it in the right manner and I think Fam had a point to prove on Saturday.
“It was great for him to get the winning goal and, funnily enough, he gets across Harlee Dean, who made the complaint, in the box for the goal and gets the winner.
“It was just another game for him, obviously he had it in the back of his head about how he could put it to bed and make sure he, not get one over on them, but put the wrong right.” » BRISTOL Rovers have been dealt a blow with Sunderland hopeful of having two key men back from injury for their clash at the Stadium of Light.
Lynden Gooch and Aiden McGeady were both ruled out of the Black Cats FA Cup second round replay defeat to Wallsall on Tuesday night with muscle injuries.
However, Sunderland boss Jack Ross says they “should be fine” for the game on Wearside on Saturday.
Rovers will take any boost they can get going into the game against the third-placed side. The Gas are on a run of four straight defeats, which included a 4-0 reverse to Doncaster at the Mem on Saturday.