This is why ex-Sunderland flop Donald Love has found himself frozen out at League One rivals

The full-back – signed from Manchester United during David Moyes’ time at the Stadium of Light – failed to make a major impact on Wearside and was allowed to join Shrewsbury Town last summer.

And while he was a regular fixture in the Shrews’ side for much of last season, he has found himself frozen out of the team this term.

Indeed, the 25-year-old has featured for only five minutes during the 2020/21 campaign having fallen down the pecking order in Shropshire.

But manager Sam Ricketts says there is nothing sinister behind Love’s absence, and says he has simply fallen out of favour - with the ball now in the player’s court if he is to force his way back into the team.

Ricketts told the Shropshire Star: “They [Love and teammate Sean Goss] are just out of favour. Football is a bit like that and they find themselves there at the minute.

“We’ll all have been there, you’ve just got to get your head down, work hard and wait for an opportunity. If one does arise then it’s up to you to train well and we’ll take it from there.”

Meanwhile, striker Jordy Hiwula is hopeful of making his Portsmouth debut this weekend as the south coast side head to the Stadium of Light.

Pompey have a striker shortage at present, so their latest recruit could feature in the squad.

And Hiwula, who signed a short-term deal at Fratton Park on Thursday, insists he is ready if called upon for the trip to Wearside.

“I am feeling really fit and I don’t feel like I am far off from where I want to be so I just need to keep working hard and keep plugging away,” he said, speaking to Hampshire Live.

“I am very hopeful (of a debut against Sunderland), it depends if the manager chooses me to be in the squad on Saturday but I am fully raring to go and I can’t wait for Saturday to come. I am hoping that I am in the squad.”

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