One Sunderland star has been tipped to be promoted from his spot on the bench this weekend.
Sunderland were forced to mix things up last time out due to the absence of both Jack Clarke and Dan Ballard, instead opting to play Abdoullah Ba out wide and also throwing Callum Styles in at left wing-back.
It’s fair to say Mike Dodds’ tactics didn’t work as they were beaten by Swansea City, and he is now likely to make further changes in a bid to end their losing streak against Norwich this weekend.
While the 37-year-old is expected to return to a back four, decisions are still to be made in attack.
Recent reports have claimed that Jack Clarke could miss up to three matches after suffering an ankle ligament injury against Birmingham, while Dodds’ decision to rely on Ba, Jobe Bellingham and Nazariy Rusyn didn’t really pay off.
With Ba failing to impress on Wearside, Sunderland Echo have now tipped Romaine Mundle to be in from the start after he was dropped last time out.
The ‘very exciting’ 20-year-old made his full debut in the defeat to Birmingham and the Echo have claimed he was the ‘one key positive’ from the loss, while he is ‘surely deserving’ of another opportunity.
Supporters were surprised when he was benched against the Swans, and another game midweek could mean we see him come in for Ba.
Can Romaine Mundle replace Clarke?
Romaine Mundle could well be the permanent replacement for Jack Clarke once he inevitably leaves in the summer, so this weekend could be a real taster of what he can do and whether he can have such an impact on the squad.
The winger looked pacey, creative and eager to get a shot off against the Blues, which is really what we are desperate for and what we have so often relied on Clarke for this season.
Abdoullah Ba has shown his good moments this term, but he certainly isn’t reliable and can’t be trusted to provide us with the attacking outlet that his 23-year-old teammate so often has.
While the Canaries are a tough team to beat and haven’t lost at home in almost four months, Mundle could have the perfect opportunity to prove himself and provide supporters with some excitement for the days after our beloved Clarke leaves.