Tony Mowbray understands if Patrick Roberts feels hard done by at Sunderland as the boss ponders how to get the former Manchester City man into his starting XI.
Roberts came off the bench and impressed at Hull City at the weekend, teeing up Ross Stewart for the opening goal with a delightful through-ball and threatening on the counter as the Tigers pushed bodies forward late on.
Mowbray is a huge fan of Roberts and yet, such is the competition for places at the top end of the pitch for the Black Cats - the 25-year-old has started the last four games on the bench.
READ MORE: Ross Stewart's fitness vow after goalscoring return for Sunderland
For the boss, the challenge is to find a way to get Roberts into his starting XI alongside the likes of in-form Amad Diallo, while also ensuring there's a balance to his side.
It's a welcome attacking dilemma made all the more interesting by the return of Ross Stewart, with Mowbray admitting he likes the idea of partnering his top scorer and Ellis Simms in a front two.
After returning to the team with a goal at Hull, Stewart is pushing for a Boxing Day start against Blackburn - as is Roberts.
"I've sat in front of you and told you, I'm not sure there's a better player (in the Championship) than Patrick Roberts with the ball at his feet," said Mowbray.
"He is an amazing talent. The ball sticks to Patrick's left foot, it's amazing what he can do. And yet Amad deserves to play because he's scored four or five goals in five or six games and looks a real threat.
"I wanted to get Patrick on (at Hull) to do what he did. They can't get it off him, he slows them down, speeds them up, cuts inside dribbles, he's a real talent.
"He should feel hard done by that he hasn't been starting games in the last two or three matches, but my job is to find a way to get Amad, who scores goals, in the team alongside Patrick Roberts, Ross Stewart, Ellis Simms. You can't have a team full of attackers because you need to keep the opposition out."
READ MORE:
- Dan Ballard spells out his Sunderland hopes following his injury return
- Mowbray forced into Sunderland rethink and denied exciting glimpse of future at Hull
Sunderland were dealt a major blow with confirmation that Elliot Embleton faces a long spell on the sidelines.
Embleton is set for surgery this week after suffering a fractured ankle and significant ligament damage at Hull.
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