ROSS Stewart has been the main focal point for Sunderland for the last season and has started his first season in the Championship strongly. But according to manager Alex Neil, he's shown how he is an 'all round number nine' in the last year.

Stewart, 26, finished last season on 26 goals in League One as Sunderland were promoted and he has already helped himself to two goals for the campaign so far. 

Whilst finishing chances as rarely been a problem in Sunderland colours, Neil has been quick to praise Stewart's all round play and what he does for the team outside of scoring goals. 

The comments came after his assist for Lynden Gooch's goal in the 2-1 loss at Sheffield United as Neil said: “I think the main thing with Ross is that his link-up play has already improved dramatically from last year.

"I thought he could run the channels and he could score goals, but I think he’s an all-round number nine now, isn’t he?

"He can link it, he can run, he can score, he’s good in the air and he can take the ball in, link it, and you can work off him. He’s a top player."

Stewart was mainly acting as a lone striker last season but has had the luxury of a strike partner in Ellis Simms this season.

The Everton loanee has also hit the ground running in his first few games for the club helping himself to three goals and putting in some strong displays. It was no different at Bramall Lane as Neil continued: “I thought the front two were brilliant.

"Unfortunately, when we concede the second goal, I knew we needed to batten down the hatches down the side because that’s where Sheffield United attack you. What they do is they get down one side, overload it, then come down the other side and the side centre-back steps in and they get down the sides with the cutbacks.

"What I felt was that if we could keep our two strikers on the pitch then they’re such a handful that at any moment, we could score a goal. But then we concede the second goal, we need to batten down the hatches down the side and attack from flanks instead, and that’s why I changed it. It paid dividends. We get the goal from Goochy breaking on from the side, and we gave everything we’ve got."

Meanwhile, Sunderland are pursuing a permanent move for Costa Rican winger Jewison Bennette but Alex Neil could not provide an update on the deal following the loss to Sheffield United. "I haven’t received any postcards from Costa Rica so far. There’s nothing fresh" he said.