Jack Ross admits Josh Maja has moved up selection order at Sunderland

Follow us on Google Discover

Sunderland manager Jack Ross has been impressed by Josh Maja so far.

Sunderland boss Jack Ross has admitted to the Chronicle that Josh Maja is set to play a more important role than he ever thought before he arrived at the Stadium of Light.

Ross claims that he was always intending to utilise Maja in his first-team after becoming Sunderland’s manager.

However, the youngster has scored two goals in his first two appearances this season.

And Ross admits that Maja could now feature more regularly than he initially planned.

“Even before I arrived I had always planned that Josh would be a part of my first team squad, but when you look at what he has done so far this season, he has promoted himself much higher up my thinking,” Ross said.

“If he plays anywhere between 25 and 45 games this season, and scores anywhere between eight and 15 goals, that’s great for his career -not just here, but he will also become a player that other people will be aware of.”

Maja is likely to face more competition for his place up-front at Sunderland before the end of the month.

The Black Cats are on the hunt for a new number nine on loan, but Maja has a chance to further cement his position in the starting line-up over the coming weeks.

Maja’s pace and clinical finishing has caught the eye for Sunderland so far, with the youngster finding the back of the net frequently throughout the season to date.

Sunderland are next in action tomorrow evening when they take on Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup.