Stephen Elliott: This is the key role Luke O'Nien has to play for Sunderland in promotion push

The fact that O’Nien is a midfielder and Sanderson has not got huge experience adds even more shine to how well the pair have done.

Sanderson is a player that, for me, no matter what division the club find themselves in next season must be signed permanently, if at all possible.

O’Nien, I still feel would offer a lot more to the team in a central midfield role so for that reason I’d love to see Bailey Wright come back into the squad.

Lee Johnson has mentioned he is close although he is not wanting to push him in too early.

However, given Saturday’s little slip-up, I feel Johnson may be more inclined to put him back in the mix a little bit sooner than he was going to.

If Wright were to come back in, I feel over the next few games it would give the team a real lift.

He is a natural leader and has a big presence on the pitch.

It would free up O’Nien to go into that midfield role where that energy and guile he possesses would be a huge plus point.

He would also offer a real goal threat and with Charlie Wyke seemingly going through a bit of a drought by his standards, it’s important that goals come from all over the park in the run in.

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