Sunderland manager Jack Ross comments on the futures of Lee Cattermole, Bryan Oviedo, Papy Djilobodji and Didier Ndong.
Defensive midfielder Cattermole and Oviedo – who can operate as a left-back or as a left-midfielder – have done well for Sunderland so far this season.
Ross has suggested that he would like to keep hold of the 30-year-old and the 28-year-old, and the Sunderland boss also seems open to the idea of parting company with 29-year-old defender Papy Djilobodji and 24-year-old midfielder Didier Ndong.
“Obviously, there are four players in the same bracket financially and people are talking about Lee and Bryan because they are the ones who are here and playing, while the other two are generally forgotten about,” Ross told The Chronicle. “If those two [Djilobodji and Ndong] left, it would probably help us a little bit.”
When whether if he could ask Donald to keep Cattermole and Oviedo, Ross said: “I’m really not sure what the answer to that question would be. I’m just working day-to-day.
“Of course, I’m trying to put something together here on a budget that’s a lot lower than in the past.
“But their contribution on the pitch has been great and in a 46-game league season, it’s important to have that.”
Message for Stewart Donald?
Ross’s aforementioned comments could be a message for Sunderland owner Stewart Donald regarding his wishes about players he wants to keep and those he does not.
Cattermole is a very good defensive midfielder and will be a massive success in League One.
As for Oviedo, the Costa Rica international international has shown what he is capable of, and the 28-year-old will be an asset for Sunderland this season.
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