Tony Mowbray tells young Sunderland duo to be ready for first-team game time
Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray has suggested that centre-backs Jenson Seelt and Nectarios Triantis could be in line for first-team minutes in the near future.
Sunderland return to action vs Stoke City this weekend.
It promises to be a tough game against former Black Cats boss Alex Neil, potentially made tougher with Dan Ballard a new injury concern for Mowbray.
The Northern Ireland international was absent from his nation's defeat vs Slovenia last night and could well be missing this weekend.
It would certainly come as a blow to Mowbray who's seen Ballard become a really key player this season, playing in the middle of defence alongside Luke O'Nien.
With Danny Batth no longer at the club, Mowbray would need to call upon someone else, and that someone else could be one of Seelt or Triantis.
Both joined the club in the summer. Seelt made his debut against Sheffield Wednesday last month and made his first start vs Middlesbrough last time out, whilst Triantis is waiting to make his debut, but has been named on the bench in recent weeks.
And it could be that both are given more starting spots in the coming weeks, especially now with Ballard a potential injury concern, with Black Cats boss Mowbray telling Sunderland Echo:
"You look at our defensive unit, Jenson and Triantis need to keep playing U21s football so that they can show me [that they're ready].
"Somewhere down the line, our two centre halves have been immense but at some time... they won't play 46 games a season, and so the other lads have to be ready.
"We have to keep giving them game time. It's a very difficult balance between them being on the bench and not getting those minutes, then the next game comes around [quickly]. When do get those games you need in? It's difficult because it can then impact the first team games, but those minutes are really important.
"I've said to them both, I know they signed to the club to play and progress their careers, but the two lads at the moment are real beacons to hold up to young professionals, really, with how they do that job."
Saturday's game at Stoke City kicks off at 3pm.
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