Sunderland’s Chris Maguire should be the first name on Ross’s team sheet

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The Black Cats new boy has made a number of eye catching performances in Sunderland’s pre-season games ahead of their vital League One campaign.

Sunderland are at the focal point of their summer transfer window preparations as they look to sign a number of players in some key areas ahead of the new campaign.

The Black Cats have played three friendlies in preparation for League One, with a number of players looking to impress their new Scottish manager Jack Ross in an attempt to bag a first-team place for next term.

And one who has certainly impressed not only 42-year-old Ross but the Sunderland faithful is new boy Chris Maguire, who joined the Wearsider’s from Bury earlier this month.

The Sunderland forward has enjoyed three encouraging performances that have certainly captured the imagination of fans on Wearside, with one of his best coming in Ross’s first win as manager against League Two side Grimsby Town.

Maguire set up the only goal of the match when he made room for a pinpoint cross which landed on the head of Sunderland’s young American midfielder Lynden Gooch.

The Scotsman has certainly made his case for being one of the men to lead Sunderland to League One promotion next season, with a number of players bidding to earn a place in Ross’s first-team.

The 29-year-old’s pre-season performances are not the only things that perhaps sway Ross to choosing Maguire as one of the first names on his team sheet, with the forward also having a lot of experience of the lower leagues; something that is imperative in order for Sunderland to succeed next season.

Maguire has played for nine different clubs across England and Scotland, some of which have played in both League One and League Two, giving the former Oxford United man an incredible advantage when it comes to team selection next month.

However, Maguire will certainly have healthy competition, with young forward Josh Maja keen to cement a place in the Sunderland first-team and another striker likely to arrive on Wearside.