Jack Ross delivers verdict on Jack Baldwin's Sunderland display after returning to Sunderland starting XI

Sunderland drew 0-0 away at Barnsley last night.

Jack Ross believes Jack Baldwin benefited from his spell out after impressing on his return, helping the Black Cats to a point at promotion rivals Barnsley.

The summer signing was dropped after three errors inside a week last month, Jimmy Dunne and Tom Flanagan instead favoured at the back.

But Flanagan missed last night’s goalless draw at second-placed Barnsley through concussion, presenting an opportunity for Baldwin to regain his place.

And the 25-year-old was superb, defensively solid while he almost provided a brilliant assist for Max Power, the midfielder shooting wide.

In dreadful conditions, Sunderland had to settle for a point, the Black Cats third, four points behind the Tykes with a game in hand still.

On Baldwin’s return, Ross said: “I was really pleased with him, I have said often enough about the step up this season and dealing with the expectation of this club.

“He has played a lot of games and played a lot of minutes and made a good contribution.

“We made a sensible decision to take him out the firing line mentally and physically and you saw the benefits of that at Barnsley.”