Wat a loss if Dunc is ruled out of Cats’ game with the Gills
STRIKER A DOUBT FOR CLASH, SAYS ROSS
DUNCAN Watmore is a doubt ahead of Sunderland’s game against Gillingham tonight.
The pacy forward impressed in the Black Cats’ draw against Blackpool last week in what was his first 90 minutes since 2016, having spent virtually two years out of action with cruciate ligament injuries.
He felt sore the day after the game and Jack Ross ruled him out of Friday’s game against Accrington Stanley but was hopeful the 24-yearold would be ready to face Gillingham at the Stadium of Light.
However, Watmore is one of several players Ross will check on today before naming his side to take on the Gills.
Ross, inset, whose side lost ground in the promotion race over the weekend after drawing against Accrington, said: “There are players we will have to look at, just because the games come thick and fast, but there is nothing major to add to the injury list after Friday.
“Duncan fits into that bracket of those who might be doubtful but his performance against Blackpool means he would very much fit into my thoughts if he is fit and available.”
Kaz Sterling was left out against Accrington with Ross revealing the on-loan Spurs frontman had a slight knock.
While he trained yesterday it remains to be seen whether he will be part of the squad tonight.
Ross added: “Kaz was unfit on Friday.
“He has done a bit of training today but it has been stop-start for him, he has had knocks.
“I can only select 10 outfield starters and 16 in the 18-man squad so there are always going to be four or five players left out. “At some stages of the season we have had to really push people when they were not quite 100 percent fit but now we can be a bit more measured.” Adam Matthews was also absent from the squad on Friday but Ross says the Wales international is fit and that was simply a selection decision.
Bryan Oviedo has also continued to train after recovering from the calf problem which had kept him out of late, although it may be too early for him to return to the squad.
Young defender Denver Hume will not be involved for the under23s at West Bromwich Albion tonight as he has stayed on Wearside to work with the first-team after recovering from a knee problem.
Sunderland have drawn seven of their last nine league games and go into the game against Gillingham sitting fourth in the table, 12 points behind leaders Luton Town with two games in hand of the Hatters, and six points behind secondplaced Barnsley but with one match in hand of the Tykes.