Sunderland AFC news: Everything Tony Mowbray had to say on Jewison Bennette and Dan Ballard ahead of Burnley
and live on Freeview channel 276
Mowbray is set to answer questions at 12:30pm today at the Academy of Light ahead of Sunderland’s game against Burnley on Friday with injury news high on the agenda.
That’s after the news dropped that two of Sunderland’s first-team squad – Dan Ballard and Jewison Bennette – had suffered injuries during the international break.
Here, we’ll have live updates from Mowbray’s pre-Burnley presser as they happen:
Tony Mowbray's presser LIVE: Jewison Bennette and Dan Ballard injury latest
Key Events
- Sunderland are in action against Burnley this coming Friday in the Championship
- Head coach Tony Mowbray will answer questions today at 12:30pm ahead of the game
- Mowbray is expected provide some update on Dan Ballard and Jewison Bennette after the pair sustained injuries
- We’ll have LIVE updates from the Academy of Light here:
Mogga on Burnley
Mowbray credits Kompany for changing Burnley’s style and bouncing back from relegation. Says Kompany is a coach who knew the market he was buying from.
Mogga on blending youth with winning
Mowbray says he hopes fans feel excited by the young players as there’s a core of really talented young footballers. Name drops several players that he wants to build around for the next four or five years but they need to stay fit.
Says if Sunderland can get it right in the summer then the next campaign could be exciting again with youngsters having extra experience.
Mogga on handing youth a chance
Mowbray says Watson and Rigg could come into contention and they have to pick the right game which may not be Burnley away.
On Rigg’s contract, Mowbray says he’s not sure as he doesn’t deal with contracts. Says Speakman is the guy to ask about that.
Mogga on injuries
I have sat here and moaned about the strikers but it is an opportunity for other players. Also says he sees Joffy as a nine-and-a-half. Says young players are getting minutes on the pitch and that has to be positive.
Gooch is available. Niall Huggins is almost available but will play another youth game.
Mogga on play-offs
Mowbray says he and his players have never talked about the play-offs. His remit was always to keep Sunderland in the Championship. Says for a large part of the season they over punched.
Also says the team has done well to get points over the past four games against top six opposition
Mogga on Burnley
Mowbrays his team will be aggressive and attack the game against Burnley. Also says they won’t be defensive. Claims it is a free hit for Sunderland.
Mowbray also says that Friday is almost a free hit for Sunderland. Says they know Burnley have some quality players but he’s not sure what their mentality will be as they have almost won the league.
Says the could gain extra focus but has hinted they could be complacent. Says he respects Burnley and what they have achieved.
Jewison Bennette has been injured
Sunderland have been handed another injury blow over the international break.
Jewison Bennette missed Costa Rica’s last game during the international break after picking up a shoulder injury during training.
That’s according to Central American journalist Kevin Jimenez, the man who originally broke the Bennette to Sunderland transfer story during last summer’s window.
Bennette’s injury will come as a concern to head coach Mowbray after defender Dan Ballard limped off playing for Northern Ireland with a hamstring issue during the international break and is now awaiting a scan.
Whilst the extent of the injuries to Bennette and Ballard are yet unknown, it is likely that the pair will miss Friday’s clash against the Championship leaders Burnley on Friday night at Turf Moor.
The Black Cats currently have eight first-team players on the injured list including Ballard and Bannette alongside Corry Evans, Ross Stewart, Dennis Cirkin, Niall Huggins, Aji Alese and Elliot Embleton.