Chris Rigg in contention for first Championship start, Sunderland boss confirms

Mike Dodds believes Chris Rigg is close to getting his first Championship star, saying he has increased his ‘intensity’ in training of late.

The 16-year-old is one of the top young talents in the country, and he has already started in the EFL Cup this season.

He in that game against Crewe, and bagged his first Championship goal from the bench a month later against Southampton.

'Exciting' talent set to start? Sunderland predicted line-up vs Norwich

In total, he has featured in 10 of Sunderland’s games so far this season, but he could be set for an increased role in the coming weeks.

"Riggy in particular, his training level has increased,” head coach Mike Dodds said.

“He's trained really, really well this week so I don't think he's a million miles away of getting a start for us. We'll see how the next few games go."

With Sunderland all but out of the play-offs picture and star man Jack Clarke out for six weeks, Dodds is also tasked with experimenting a little between now and the end of the season.

That could give Rigg his chance, as well as bring Adil Aouchiche back into contention, especially with three tough games in a week to prepare for.

"Adil and Riggy are good footballers and we are going to have to shuffle the pack for these games just to manage the sheer intensity of them," Dodds said.

'It's such a difficult one because you always have one eye on the next game [Leicester] but ultimately you have to get a positive result on Saturday and then see where you are after that. They could start on Saturday, potentially.”