Sunderland should do everything to keep Bryan Oviedo ahead of League One campaign

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Sunderland are readying their squad for a vital season and Oviedo would be an important player to keep on Wearside.

Sunderland’s new owner Stewart Donald reiterated to Black Cats fans that there would likely be a squad overhaul ahead of one of the biggest season’s in Sunderland’s history.

A number of departures have already gone through, with more likely to come in the next few weeks.

However, despite a summer transfer overhaul, Sunderland’s new boss Jack Ross will still require one or two senior players to be in a squad of what will likely be full of youngsters.

And, at 28, Sunderland’s Costa Rican full-back Bryan Oviedo should be one of the senior squad members that remains a permanent fixture in Ross’s League One side.

Oviedo has made 44 appearances since joining the Black Cats in the 2017 January transfer window from Everton and has scored two goals.

37 of Oviedo’s 44 appearances came in last season’s Championship campaign, scoring two fantastic goals and assisting five times.

Sunderland will need a number of players who can stand up to the physical demands of League One football and Oviedo certainly passed that test last season, when he played 2826 minutes – one of the Black Cats’ most consistent starters.

Oviedo is also an excellent set-piece taker, taking a number of his side’s free kicks and corners last term and, with the direct style of play in League One, the defender could provide some class from dead ball situations.

Costa Rica’s left-back will be travelling to the World Cup this summer and only yesterday featured in their 2-0 defeat to England.

Oviedo’s country find themselves in a tough group alongside Switzerland, Serbia and international giants Brazil.

However, Costa Rica are certainly capable of going through to the knockout stages in Russia and Sunderland’s full-back could well be in demand with an eye catching performance or two.

An attractive transfer to a club in a higher division may be the only thing stopping Sunderland keeping hold of their left-back but, if former St Mirren manager Ross can acquire the 28-year-old’s contribution for another season, it may well be a key contribution to the Black Cats’ promotion bid.