Mac praises the depth of Cats’ squad
CONOR McLaughlin believes Sunderland’s strength in depth could give them an advantage during the League One run-in.
The congested fixture list and lack of a proper pre-season has meant squads throughout the divisions have been blighted by more injuries than usual this season.
The Black Cats are no exception and have to juggle their options on a number of occasions, McLaughlin just one of those to have spent time on the sidelines.
The defender recently returned to action and has been impressed by how well the rest of the squad has handled the situation.
With Sunderland looking stronger defensively, he singled out Wolves loanee Dion Sanderson for particular praise but believes the upturn in form is a real collective endeavour.
He said: “Dion is a really good lad. He is vocal for his age - he talks to me, to Luke O’Nien and that helps massively on the pitch.
“The whole team has to take credit. We have a good squad and we are going to need everyone before the end of the season.
“You see the injuries we have had, that comes with it and every team now is picking up a lot of injuries with all the games.”
Since recovering from a hernia, McLaughlin has started Sunderland’s last three league games - all victories.
The right-back was not a happy passenger while out injured and, while he cheered his team-mates on, he was desperate to get back into the starting XI.
He added: “I missed a lot of games. Even though I was only out for three weeks with a hernia it felt like I missed ten matches.
“It is hard watching the games because although you are supporting the lads you want to be out there. I am just enjoying being back in the team now.
“I started running a week and a half, two weeks after the operation and it accelerates quickly from there and you can get back quickly.
“I still feel it a bit at the start of games, getting warmed up but it fades and I am happy to be back playing. We just need to keep this run going now.”
Sunderland face Crewe Alexandra today looking to extend their three-match winning run in the league.
However, the Railwaymen have been one of the surprise packages of the campaign, having come up from League Two last summer and establishing themselves as a comfortably mid-table side since.