Sunderland boss explains why he has no concerns over Amad Diallo form

Tony Mowbray says no one should be surprised by a dip in form from Amad Diallo, but the Sunderland boss still retains full confidence in him.

Amad has been a star performer for Sunderland this season with his quality really shining through for much of the campaign.

He has struggled to reach those heights of late, though, with Sunderland’s hectic schedule proving a real test for a player who is essentially playing his first full season of first-team football.

Mowbray is mindful of asking too much of Amad for that reason, but he says nothing has changed in terms of how much he will use the Ivorian.

"I wouldn't criticise Amad - I struggle to pick a team without him," Mowbray said.

"He went through a really hot spell where he scored just about every game for us for a few weeks, but he still contributes massively to our team and the way that we function.

“He's a kid who has never played football regularly, he played a handful of games for Atalanta and then went to Manchester United where didn't play much, and then had a loan to Rangers where he didn't play regularly.

"He's come here and it's the first time, probably ever in his life, where he has played men's football week in, week out and it will be very demanding on him.

“It's nothing surprising that at time he doesn't quite hit the absolute pinnacle of what he can bring, because it's been game after game every three days.

"I tried to give him a break [at QPR] but it was only an hour - and then he came on and impacted the football match.”

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