Sunderland’s central midfielder, Corry Evans, sustained an injury in his last match and may potentially return for the upcoming season.

Mike Dodds has responded to the criticism surrounding Jobe Bellingham’s playing time at Sunderland. Bellingham, who joined Sunderland from Birmingham City during the summer, initially made a strong start with the club but has seen a significant decline since Tony Mowbray’s departure.

Despite being just 18 years old, Bellingham has started 32 out of Sunderland’s 35 Championship games this season. This heavy workload has led to concerns of burnout among fans, with some urging Dodds to rest him, especially before busy fixtures. Additionally, there have been accusations of nepotism, as Bellingham’s brother Jude has had success in his own football career.

However, Dodds has defended his decision not to drop Bellingham, stating, “It’s something we’ve got to be mindful of because he’s 18.” Dodds emphasized the extensive data analysis available to the coaching staff, monitoring factors such as distance covered and high-intensity running. According to Dodds, Bellingham consistently ranks highly in these metrics, indicating his fitness and contribution to the team. Dodds assured that if any player, including Bellingham, showed signs of fatigue or decline, they would address it accordingly in discussions with the physio and sports science departments.