Sunderland AFC news: Southampton team news as Mike Dodds discusses Chris Rigg and injuries
and live on Freeview channel 276
Sunderland are preparing for their Championship match against Southampton at St Mary's - and interim boss Mike Dodds held his pre-match press conference.
The Black Cats were beaten 1-0 by league leaders Leicester on Tuesday and have now lost their last five matches. Southampton remain fourth in the table after their league game against Preston was postponed on Wednesday, with Russell Martin's side beating Birmingham 4-3 last weekend.
Here's what was said at the Academy of Light as Dodds spoke to the media:
Mike Dodds press conference
Dodds on Ross Stewart
“I have a lot of respect for Ross, he’s a great lad and worked really hard. I’m gutted for him. I know how much he will be hurting right now. He’s probably had a year or so of not being in a great place. I’ve got nothing but good things to say about Ross.”
Dodds on Chris Rigg's contract
"That's out of my remit..." Goes onto say that Sunderland need to manage him properly at such a young age.
Dodds on Chris Rigg
"If he performs like he did the other night age is irrelevant for me. If you are performing you play."
More to come...
That brings us to the end of the broadcast section of the press conference, but Dodds has also spoken to the written press.
We'll have more from the Black Cats interim boss on the SAFC section of the Echo website, as well as build-up to Saturday's match.
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