Elliot closing in on return after brace for the U23s
Elliot Embleton stepped up his Sunderland comeback with a brace in a superb win for the U23s away at Aston Villa on Friday.
The victory, Sunderland’s third of the season, lifts the Black Cats up to sixth in the Premier League 2 table.
It marks a much-improved start to the campaign for Elliott Dickman’s group, after a season in which they failed to win a league fixture last time out.
Embleton played 70 minutes of the contest, and scored both of his goals in the first half.
It marked a significant step forward for the attacking midfielder, who began his comeback from a thigh injury with an assist and 45 minutes for the U23s in their 5-3 win over Fulham last Monday.
Speaking on Thursday, Phil Parkinson insisted that there are opportunities on the horizon for Embleton, pointing to his imminent return as one of the reasons why he will not consider a recall for Aiden McGeady.
“As I said in the summer, we've got Elliot Embleton who is playing again for the U23s [on Friday],” Parkinson said.
“He's another player who I'm looking forward to seeing emerge for us. Unfortunately we've had to be patient with him but we're expecting him in the run of games we have coming to get some minutes with the first team.”
There was further good news for Parkinson as Callum McFadzean completed 45 minutes as he begins to build his match fitness.
Parkinson says McFadzean arrived at the club in good condition but, having not had any competitive action since early March, will need time before he can be considered for senior action.