Phil Parkinson gives Elliot Embleton fitness update and reacts to key rule change

Elliot Embleton is in contention to return to the Sunderland squad on Saturday afternoon.
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Embleton made a successful comeback from injury in cup games against Mansfield and Fleetwood Town, but was rested as the Black Cats were beaten 2-1 by MK Dons in their return to League One action.

Embleton has subsequently taken a full part in training and could therefore return against Doncaster Rovers.

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"The medical team advised us to give him that rest, because he's had such a long time out," Parkinson said.

Elliot Embleton is in contention to return on Saturday afternoonElliot Embleton is in contention to return on Saturday afternoon
Elliot Embleton is in contention to return on Saturday afternoon

"He has trained the full week, which is great.

"We always expected him to have some kind of muscle stiffness after his first 90 minutes back, so when we sat down with the medical staff before the MK Dons staff game, and they said that ideally he'd have one or two days now to refresh and then go again.

"He's trained every day since then."

Parkinson believes this week's EFL rule change, which now allows him to make five substitutions within games, will benefit Embleton as he bids for more gametime.

The Black Cats boss says the decision was 'sensible', but was disappointed that he cannot extend his matchday squad to 21 players, as Championship sides will be able to.

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"I think, for us, we have got players who haven't not figured as much so far this season," he said.

"Elliot is one of those, though for injury reasons.

"It does give us the options to make more changes within the game, and I think it's a sensible decision.

"Every manager I speak to is saying the same thing, that every club is picking up a few more niggles [than usual], and that's just because of the schedule we've gone through.

"We voted for it, and think it's the right decision because of the volume of games we've had and will have going forward.

"I think it's sensible.

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"Personally, I'd have liked to have had nine substitutes. Like tomorrow, for instance, we will take a couple of extra players to Doncaster in case we have an injury or illness.

"I don't think there's any reason why we couldn't have increased it to nine, that was my thoughts.

"It would have kept all the squad involved."

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