Sunderland midfielder Elliot Embleton started last night, but Jack Ross’ challenge to him looks a tough one.
Elliot Embleton may not have done quite enough to force Jack Ross to change his mind about playing him for Sunderland.
Embleton has been kept out of Sunderland’s team so far this season, but the youngster was given a chance to impress against Sheffield Wednesday last night.
The central midfielder didn’t put in a bad display, but his showing is unlikely to have convinced Ross that he needs to make him a permanent starter now.
Ross praised Embleton after the match, but he took the youngster off just after the hour mark.
Embleton has been out injured, and is still regaining match sharpness, so his performance can still be encouraging.
But Ross had laid down the gauntlet to the youngster before the contest, suggesting to the Sunderland Echo that Embleton needed to change his mind to force his way into Sunderland’s starting line-up.
“I’ve had a couple of good conversations with Elliot, and I think he understands how strong we are in midfield,” Ross said.
“But things can change quickly in that respect. He’ll hopefully be involved on Thursday and hopefully it gives him a platform. Sometimes, players can change your mind very quickly. I think he’s a good player, it’s just that we’ve got a number of good players in that area of the pitch at the moment.”
And it may be that Embleton didn’t quite do enough to convince Ross that he should be starting on a weekly basis at Sunderland throughout the season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
