This is one of the most challenging situations I’ve ever faced, says Neil

Alex Neil is weighing up whether to continue with Callum Doyle in central defence at Wigan Athletic.

Neil said after the 1-1 draw againstBurtonAlbiononTuesday that he felt the 18-year-old has played too much football this season.

However,formingadefence without the Manchester City loaneeisanaltogethertougher task, even if Danny Batth is fit again after an ankle problem.

Doyle is by far Sunderland's best option on the ball, and Neil does not feel he has another left-footer capable of stepping in.

The Black Cats fielded a back three on Tuesday in a bid to improve their vulnerability to the counter-attack, but afterwards Neil admitted it was 'backtothedrawingboard'following another underwhelming display.

"We have got a responsibilitytothelikesofCallumandthe younger lads," Neil said.

"The over-reliance that we've had to put on those lads this season, I think you can see the toll that it's taken on some of them.

"However, I would argue that we're a better side with Callum Doyle in it. His use of the ball is good for us, he's a powerfuldefender,abigstrappinglad.Hewillbecomeavery, very good player.

"Ideally, at the moment we'd like to be dipping him in andout.That'sfinewhenyou're not compromising the quality of the starting XI, but at the moment when he doesn't play, I think we're in a weaker place.

"It's something that's not lost on me. I'm trying to win games, so I'm trying to balance off making sure these lads are ok, while also understanding the importance of us getting back on track."

Neil added: "It's one of the most challenging situations I've faced.

"I understood the scrutiny that I would face so I was prepared for that. I think it's just the variables within the squad that have made it more challenging, in terms of trying to get the team right, getting that freshness within the team and getting people up to speed.

"AllIcansayisthatI'mworking as hard as I can. There have beenthingsthatwe'vebrought tolightintermsofwheretheissueslie,soI'mnotnaivetothat.

"You're always going to go through tough moments and I've adopted a situation which hasn't been going well, and we're trying to turn that round immediately.

"What I would say is that sometimes it can just take one result, and things quickly shift in terms of the sentiment and the feeling ."