Sunderland interim manager Mike Dodds talked to the media on Thursday, before of his team’s Championship match against Millwall.
Sunderland play their second-to-last home game of the season on Saturday, hosting Championship strugglers Millwall at the Stadium of Light.
The Londoners landed in hot water a few weeks ago when they fired manager Joe Edwards.
However, since re-hiring club legend Neil Harris, Millwall has risen to 16th place and presently has a six-point lead over the bottom three, having won two consecutive games.
Sunderland have also recently improved their form.
Dodds watched as his side won 1-0 away at West Brom last time out, following a 0-0 draw with Leeds United the previous game.
The Black Cats have lost only one of their previous six games and are presently ranked 13th.
Sunderland team news latest ahead of Millwall
Dodds stated that Evans will ‘absolutely’ play against Watford at the end of the month if he does not make the team to face Millwall.
Dennis Cirkin remains injured, with Dodds implying that the full-back may not return until next season.
Mike Dodds shares Nazariy Rusyn injury latest
Dodds also provided an updated report on striker Nazariy Rusyn.
The attacker has been sidelined since March with a calf injury, following a difficult debut season for the 25-year-old, who joined from Ukrainian club Zorya last summer.
Dodds described Rusyn before of the Millwall game:
“He is currently training with the group. I believe that this game and the next game will be too tight. Sheffield Wednesday [the season’s final game] will likely be more feasible.”
Rumours circulated online this month that Rusyn intends to quit Sunderland in the summer.
According to SalarySport, Rusyn makes £9,000 per week at Sunderland.
Nazariy Rusyn injury gives one Black Cats star another audition
Sunderland has been vying for the number nine place for quite some time.
None of the strikers signed last summer have performed well, but Dodds has softened the pain of not having a productive no.9 by putting Jobe Bellingham in that position.
The offensive midfielder, who joined from Birmingham City last summer, scored seven goals in the Championship this season.
And he’s been an effective leader of the line in recent games.
He provides the club with much-needed enthusiasm and effort rate that players such as Luis Hemir did not previously provide.
And, with Rusyn still injured, Dodds will almost certainly start Bellingham up front against Millwall.
The 18-year-old still appears to be figuring out his best position, but if he continues to thrive as a no.9 until the end of the season, Sunderland may see Bellingham as an out-and-out striker next season.
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