Leave it to ‘incredible’ Lynden to impress Ross

LYNDEN Gooch’s figures this season are “incredible”, according to Jack Ross.

The USA international contributed his sixth assist of the season when he set up George Honeyman’s opener in Sunderland’s 3-0 win over Southend United.

The 22-year-old forward has also found the net three times in 13 league outings so far.

Ross said: “There are lots of players who play where Lynden does who I have seen over the years and it is easy to catch the eye because they are good one versus one.

“I think they should be judged on end product and by that I mean goals and assists.

“Lynden’s numbers already this season are incredible, the number of goals and assists he has had.

“We are a third of the way through the season and if he can replicate that between now and the end he will have made a brilliant contribution.”

Gooch was substituted in the final 15 minutes against Southend with a minor hamstring issue but Ross says it is not a major concern and expects him to be fit for next weekend’s trip to Plymouth.

He added: “It was a little bit of tightness in his hamstring, but not as serious as when he came off at Coventry (which saw him miss the next three games).

“It was just precautionary from his point of view.

“I was about to make a substitution anyway and he was one of those I was considering taking off, so it just made up my mind for me. He will be OK.”

Chris Maguire scored the goal of the game just after half-time with a stunning unstoppable 30-yard strike which found the top left-hand corner.

Maguire – dubbed the King – has become a cult hero among Sunderland fans and just after he scored Ross called him over to the touchline as he prepared to bring on McGeady.

Asked whether we was considering taking the Scot off, Ross grinned: “No – but I told him I was! It helps keep control of his ego a bit.

“No, I was telling him where I was shifting him and where I wanted him to play when Aiden came on.

“He has that quality, that ability and technique, and it has never been in doubt – he tries it often enough, as well.

“It is just reflective of where he is at the moment, how he feels and how confident he is.”