Sunderland ace Chris Rigg returns, after winning matches for England in the international break, determined to help his side return to winning ways.
Sunderland return to Championship action on Saturday following the international break as they prepare to face Millwall at the Stadium of Light.
Prior to the break, Sunderland were beaten 3-0 at Coventry in an uncharacteristically disappointing display, days after their deflating 1-1 draw with Preston.
Alex Neil’s Millwall side visit Wearside this weekend, with Regis Le Bris’ side in for a tough test as they hope to right the wrongs from the Coventry loss.
All of Sunderland’s international stars returned unscathed – despite initial worries over Trai Hume after his withdrawal from the Northern Ireland squad – including central-midfield starlet Chris Rigg.
Ahead of the Millwall clash, Rigg laid down the gauntlet to himself and his Sunderland teammates for Saturday’s affair.
Sunderland ace Chris Rigg wants to ‘right the wrongs’
Rigg left Le Bris ruing his decision to start the 17-year-old against Coventry last time out over Alan Browne.
Like many of his Sunderland teammates, Rigg was not at his best at the CBS Arena, losing possession on 17 occasions with a 65% passing accuracy.
Ahead of Sunderland’s return to action this afternoon, Rigg told Sunderland’s media: “Yeah all ready, ready for Saturday and hopefully we can turn the wrongs to rights as we start preparing for Millwall now.”
The Coventry display was one of Rigg’s most lacklustre this season in an otherwise stellar campaign, in which the academy graduate has been a pivotal component of Le Bris’ set-up, and it will be crucial for Sunderland’s play-off hopes for him to return to his breathtaking best.
| Key statistic | Chris Rigg so far in Championship for Sunderland this season |
| Games played | 34 |
| Goals | 4 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Chances created | 36 |
| Duels won | 138 |
| Successful dribbles | 33 |
| Yellow cards | 7 |
Despite the Sky Blues blip, Rigg’s short yet glistening career continues to go from strength to strength after his latest career milestone on the international stage for England.
Chris Rigg makes ‘big stage’ England aspirations clear
Rigg scored an early match-winner for England’s Under-19s against Portugal during the international break, securing European finals qualification for the Young Lions on his Under-19s debut.
Rigg added of his international break: “Very different to be fair, because there was not many there in the crowd like I’m used to, but it was good and especially to contribute to the lads going to Romania in the summer.
“The feeling never gets old, representing your country, I think it just shows what you’ve been doing in the season and that it’s been recognised, so it’s an overwhelming feeling and hopefully one day I’ll be playing on the big stage for England.”
Rigg’s remarkable rise would be epitomised by helping Sunderland secure promotion – in his first full senior season – with the next step in his footballing journey starting with Millwall this weekend.