Sunderland boss misses out on accolade, Ipswich man issues message to squad plus Portsmouth handed injury boost
By Joe Ramage
Published 8th Oct 2021, 11:26 BST
Updated 8th Oct 2021, 11:49 BST
Sunderland fans will have to sit and watch on this weekend as the Black Cats are without a League One fixture.
Lee Johnson’s side were set to host Oxford United at the Stadium of Light before a number of international call-ups led to the game being postponed.
The Wearsiders are one of a number of teams without a fixture this weekend including league leaders Wigan Athletic.
But that does mean the Black Cats may find themselves further down the table when they return to League One duty at Gillingham next weekend.
That depends on the results of third placed Plymouth Argyle who take on Burton Albion and fifth placed Wycombe Wanderers who host the Gills.
Wins for both will see them leapfrog the Black Cats and the Latics at the top of the table.
But ahead of the weekend’s League One action we look at some of the things that have been happening around the division in the last 24 hours.
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But that does mean the Black Cats may find themselves further down the table when they return to League One duty at Gillingham next weekend.
5. Six points the target for Burns
Sticking with Burns, the Ipswich attacker is eyeing maximum points from the clubs next two fixtures as the Tractor Boys look to climb the League One table. It’s been a disappointing start at Portman Road with just two wins from their opening 10 games but Burns believes that should change in the clubs next two fixtures at home to Shrewsbury Town before a trip to Cambridge United. Burns told TWDT: “No disrespect to Shrewsbury or Cambridge but they are games we look at with a view to taking all three points. We’re at home on Saturday and away at Cambridge, which we know is a bit of a local one, so we’ll be looking to win both and take six points. It is definitely an opportunity to spark the season into life.” (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images) Photo: Harry Trump
Portsmouth winger Ronan Curtis will miss Portsmouth’s clash with League One rivals Rotherham United after the Republic of Ireland international picked up a fifth yellow card in the win over Sunderland. The game at the New York Stadium takes place on October 16 with the Papa John’s Trophy not included in a players suspension. Curtis will serve a one match ban before being available for the visit of Ipswich Town. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images) Photo: Eric Alonso
7. Argyle striker set for first start in almost two years
Plymouth Argyle can hit the summit of the League One table on Saturday with a win over Burton Albion. The Pilgrims and fifth placed Wycombe Wanderers are the only two sides in the top six with a fixture this weekend due to international call-ups with Ryan Lowe’s side in pole position to leapfrog both Wigan Athletic and Sunderland at the top of the table. But to do so, Argyle may have to rely on Kieran Agard to get them there with the forward set to make his first start in 659 days with Luke Jephcott away on international duty. Lowe said of Agard: "His finishing's sharper, so I've got no problem if I have to play Kieran Agard, none at all, even though he has had two years out. Will he last 90 minutes? I don't know. We haven't made our minds up on that yet.” (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images) Photo: Pete Norton
One man who the Pilgrims can rely on to last the 90 minutes and find the back of the net is the in-form Ryan Hardie. The former Rangers striker has netted 10 times in 13 starts for the Pilgrims this season and is one of the hottest strikers throughout the EFL and boss Lowe has backed the Scotsman to break into the national squad. "I was surprised Ryan Hardie didn't get a call-up for Scotland to be dead honest with you. I was expecting a call just because he's scoring goals," he told Plymouth Herald. "Look, I'm not sitting here telling Steve Clarke what to do by any stretch of the imagination, but we have got a leading goalscorer in the country at the moment. I'm sure Steve is monitoring him and watching him because who wouldn't?” (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) Photo: Dan Mullan