Robbie Stockdale on playing Donald Love in a midfield role for Sunderland

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Love played in midfield for the under-23’s against Hartlepool, in a role where the Black Cats are struggling with injuries.

Sunderland’s Donald Love in action

Sunderland first-team coach Robbie Stockdale admits that playing Donald Love in midfield for the under-23’s in the Checkatrade Trophy win over Hartlepool United did have something to do with the first team being hit by injuries in that area of the field, the Shields Gazette reports.

The Black Cats have seen Jan Kirchhoff ruled out for a minimum of six weeks with a hamstring injury while Lee Cattermole is also sidelined.

Sunderland’s Jan Kirchhoff receives medical attention

Stockdale is quoted in the Shields Gazette, saying: “We know his history at Man United, he played a lot there too.

“Certainly it’s another option for us to have in there, I thought he did very well, his passing was good and crisp.

“I also thought his presence off the ball was very positive for the team.”

Stockdale also alluded to Love filling in in that position during a draw against Southampton as a substitute earlier on in the season. It certainly does no harm for Sunderland to look at different options for that role given their shortage of resources in that area.

Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling in action with Sunderland’s Donald Love

Love may be recognised primarily as a defender but that seems to be one area of the team where the Black Cats have depth – certainly in personnel though their looking at their league position it’s easier to think otherwise.

If he can perform in the role well then there is no reason why he shouldn’t have a chance of lining up in that position in the games that follow the international break. It would be a big role for Love to fill given the side’s current position, as they could do with turning things around quickly following their disappointing start to the season, which leaves them bottom of the Premier League with just two points from their opening seven games.

Sunderland manager David Moyes