Chris Coleman admits he called up Sunderland’s Elliot Embleton before he was ready

Follow us on Google Discover

Elliot Embleton has played two matches for Sunderland’s first-team this season.

Chris Coleman has admitted to the Northern Echo that he put Sunderland youngster Elliott Embleton into his first-team before he was ready.

Embleton was called up to Sunderland’s senior squad for their FA Cup match with Middlesbrough and their league contest against Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this campaign.

With Sunderland’s relegation now confirmed, there have been calls for the youngsters to be given more chances over the remainder of the campaign.

But Coleman does not want to put any player into his Sunderland team before they are ready again.

“We’ve got to be careful for them, that we don’t put them in too early,” he said. “(Josh) Maja has had game time, so has (Joel) Asoro and Ethan Robson. Even (Elliott) Embleton has had game time, it was too soon for him really but it was needs must.

“We still have to go with the best team we think has the best chance of doing something tomorrow night. If you put someone in too early, it can be detrimental to their future. We’re up against one of the best teams, that are up for everything. We’ll go with how we think is the best match for Fulham.”

Sunderland’s relegation was confirmed last weekend in dramatic circumstances.

The Black Cats were beating Burton Albion until late on, but two goals from the Brewers in the last 10 minutes turn the game on its head.

Sunderland will now be playing League One football next term, and they may have to rely on their prospects more next campaign.

The Black Cats are expected to offload many members of their current first-team squad, with Sunderland’s prospects potentially having to step up to replace them.