Tony Mowbray is feeling positive about Dan Neil’s absence this weekend.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the Sunderland boss claimed it could be ‘good’ for the midfielder to miss out on the trip to Stoke City.
Dan Neil had started all eleven of Sunderland’s Championship matches this season and had been a key player, up until his controversial red card against Middlesbrough.
The midfielder was shown a second yellow just before half-time for bad language and now has to serve a one-match ban, meaning he won’t be available for the bitter reunion with Alex Neil.
Sunderland have limited options to fill the void left by Neil at the bet365 Stadium, however Mowbray has insisted that it could actually benefit the 21-year-old.
“I said to him today, looking forward to a rest,” Mowbray told the media.
“It’s good for him because it is a three-game week. It’s good for a young player to sometimes enjoy, put his feet up, watch the football and be ready for three days later when he’s going to be needed.”
Sunderland will return to the Midlands next week for one of their toughest tests yet as they face Leicester City, before returning to Wearside to host Norwich four days later.
Can Pierre Ekwah fill in for Dan Neil?
Dan Neil will be a huge loss to Sunderland this weekend, having put on some brilliant performances and picking up two goals and two assists already.
The Black Cats will be hoping Pierre Ekwah is fit to play, as the Frenchman seems like the only replacement that can reach anywhere near his teammate’s quality. Sunderland are also very low on defensive midfielders and certainly don’t want to turn up to Stoke as exposed as they were against Boro.
Sunderland need to not get too in their heads about this weekend’s meeting with Alex Neil, with the match at the Stadium of Light earlier this year ending disastrously.
Let’s just pick up a comfortable three points, welcome Dan Neil back into the team and move onto Leicester!