'I'd rather be in my shoes!': Ryan Lowe issues his Sunderland verdict ahead of Plymouth Argyle clash

Sunderland travel to Home Park on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off) looking to end their seven-game winless run, while also knowing that victory will mathematically secure a play-off place.

But the Wearsiders’ push for a return to the Championship has been hindered by key injuries in the defensive areas, which have restricted Johnson’s options.

And while Plymouth have injury problems of their own ahead of the weekend, Lowe says he doesn’t envy the position Sunderland’s head coach finds himself in.

"I’d rather be in my shoes than someone else’s shoes – who are fighting to get in the play-offs with those injuries,” he admitted, speaking to Plymouth Argyle’s official website.

“That’s just the way it is. I think the season has been tough all along. The games have come thick and fast and the programme has been intense, 100 miles an hour.

"The games we’re playing, we want them to do as well as they can and it might be an opportunity for one or two of the youngsters to go and show their abilities.”

Sunderland could see their numbers bolstered this weekend by the return of Conor McLaughlin, who recently underwent a hernia operation.

And Plymouth too could welcome back a key man in the form of Conor Grant, with the midfielder having trained with the side this week.

But Lowe is urging caution ahead of the clash, and already has one eye on the longer-term given his side are already guaranteed a place in League One for next season.

"We’re a bit wounded,” he said.

"Sam [Woods] has done his hamstring and Adam Lewis has done his ankle ligaments. Conor is back training with us, which is a bonus, but we’ve got to wrap them up a little bit in cotton wool.

"There’s only two games to go and we’ve said that we’re not going to risk anyone with potentially a long-term injury.

"The lads have had an extra day off so they’ve got a bit of extra freshness in them.”

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