Aston Villa consider recalling former Barcelona star from League One rivals Ipswich Town plus Portsmouth's on loan Manchester City goalkeeper outlines his intentions
Lee Johnson’s side are without a fixture this weekend after the Black Cats’ game with Oxford United was postponed.
By Joe Ramage
Published 7th Oct 2021, 11:43 BST
Updated 7th Oct 2021, 11:58 BST
Sunderland were set to welcome Karl Robinson’s side to the Stadium of Light on Saturday but international call-ups led to the game having to be rescheduled.
The Black Cats must now keep their attention focused on the Papa John’s Trophy following Tuesday night’s success over Lincoln City at the LNER Stadium.
A rocket from midfielder Dan Neil and a debut goal from Stephen Wearne were enough to see off the Imps as Johnson and his side set out on the defence of their Papa John’s Trophy.
Sunderland welcome Manchester United U23’s to Wearside next week looking to make it back-to-back wins in the competition and secure a passage into the knockout phase.
But here, we look at what has been happening around League One over the last 24 hours with some of Sunderland’s rivals.
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A rocket from midfielder Dan Neil and a debut goal from Stephen Wearne were enough to see off the Imps as Johnson and his side set out on the defence of their Papa John’s Trophy.
5. Brown back in Owls fold
Former Tottenham Hotspur man Jaden Brown is in contention for a return to the Sheffield Wednesday starting XI after impressing boss Darren Moore in Tuesday’s Papa John’s Trophy success over Mansfield Town. The 22-year-old has started just one of the last seven matches for the Owls but came on in an unfamiliar role midweek to give Moore food for thought. “Jaden can play left-back or he can play on the left wing,” he told The Star. “As you can see, wherever on the pitch he operates he can do so as efficiently at the back or on that wing. It’s wonderful for us to have. I was pleased with his game. I gave him 30 minutes tonight and it’s about those minutes on the pitch.” (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Getty Images) Photo: Jacques Feeney
It’s been quite the start to the season for Ryan Lowe and his Plymouth Argyle side. The Pilgrims are third in the League One table just two points behind leaders Wigan Athletic having lost just one of their opening 11 matches. Lowe arrived at Home Park in 2019 after the demise of Bury and now has his eyes set on making his Argyle side competitive with attention already being focused on January recruitment. Director of football, Neil Dewsnip told Plymouth Live: “We have target players so we have ongoing discussions, myself and Ryan non-stop quite frankly. Ryan is very keen, as we all are, to continue to improve the squad and, ultimately, the starting 11. It’s a little bit too soon to get too excited but we are onto those issues as we speak.” (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images) Photo: Pete Norton
Charlton Athletic assistant manager Johnnie Jackson claims his side should be targeting League One promotion and Papa John’s Trophy success after the Addicks saw off Southampton U23’s in midweek. “I want to see this football club at the other end of the league, I want us to get promoted,” he told Capital Football. “We definitely take the Papa John’s Trophy seriously and we want to win every game that we play. We are through and into the next round and when that comes along that will be a game that we will try and win. The further you go in the competition you need to start thinking about the reward. At the end of the day, you play football because you want to win medals, prizes and trophies.” (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images) Photo: Harry Trump
Lee Gregory admits he should be higher up the League One goal scoring charts after a slow start in front of goal at Hillsborough. Gregory joined from Stoke City in the summer and has found the back of the net twice in nine appearances as the Owls hover in mid table in League One. Speaking to the Examiner Gregory said: "I definitely should have scored more goals and will score more. As long as I am doing something for the team with assists, goals, work rate and we are winning, I don't mind. If I am playing and not getting the chances, I would be thinking 'I'm not getting chances, something is wrong' but I am still getting chances. As long as I am getting chances, then I know I am doing something right.” (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images) Photo: Naomi Baker