Everyone will have a part to play in run-in, says boss Neil

ALEX Neil insists every player can make an impact in Sunderland’s play-off campaign – pointing to the example set by Elliot Embleton.

The Black Cats are back in the top six following their win at Oxford United – a result that stretched their unbeaten run to eight matches.

While he has not been starting games of late, Embleton has made his mark as a substitute in the last couple of matches.

The academy product came off the bench to set up Nathan Broadhead’s 95th-minute winner against Gillingham last weekend, and followed that by coming on at Oxford to score the decider in the 89th minute in the 2-1 away win.

Neil says promotion-winning sides are powered by the ‘team ethic’ rather than individual agendas. That point has been exemplified by Embleton’s recent efforts, and last month by the impact that Dan Neil and Patrick Roberts had from the bench when they scored in the final five minutes to give Sunderland a home win against Crewe.

“Elliot is important and all the substitutes are important between now and the end of the season,” said Neil. “If you think of the last two or three matches, we wouldn’t have the points we have got if it wasn’t for the guys coming onto the pitch and impacting the game.

“I can’t stress enough how important those lads are. It’s difficult to keep their minds focused and keep them motivated because obviously they are disappointed that they are not playing, but time after time they are coming on and doing well so they are obviously in the right place to impact the team.”

He added: “When you speak to the senior lads who have been involved in promotion-winning squads, everybody is crucial and they need to keep their minds clear, focus on the job at hand, and not think about your own future.

“It’s about the team ethic at the moment, and that has to come first.”