Sunderland, who lost 1-0 to Championship leaders Leicester, is getting ready to play Norwich at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
Head coach Tony Mowbray made five substitutes in the second half, one of which was for a full-back, as Sunderland pushed for an equalizer against Championship leaders Leicester.
After missing seven games due to a hamstring injury, Dennis Cirkin’s return to the Black Cats bench at King Power Stadium was a welcome sight. How big of an influence the 21-year-old would be able to make was yet unknown.
A day prior to Sunderland’s 1-0 loss at Leicester, on Monday, Cirkin—who has started Sunderland’s opening five league games this season—participated for the under-21 team in a private friendly against Hibernian. As he recovered to full health, he also had the option to play for the under-21s on Friday at Eppleton CW against Tottenham.
However, Cirkin’s 64th-minute substitution of Niall Huggins against Leicester demonstrated his return to the starting lineup, as the full-back gave his team an added boost down the left flank. Thirteen minutes from the end, Cirkin’s low cross nearly found fellow replacement Chris Rigg in the box, but Foxes center-back Wout Faes blocked it. The Sunderland full-back then had a last-minute opportunity when he skied Abdoullah Ba’s cutback over the bar from inside the penalty area.
Even so, this was a positive performance from a guy who had struggled with injuries the previous season but had started the season strong. Huggins, who has experienced his own difficulties with injuries, has played well in Cirkin’s absence in recent weeks, but Mowbray will welcome the competition at left-back where Aji Alese is also improving.
Last season, Cirkin improved his defensive game and scored five goals in 28 Championship games, demonstrating what he can do going forward. Additionally, he has demonstrated that he is at ease playing in a back three or four, which could come in handy later in the season.
The full-back’s performance against Leicester even gave rise to speculation that he would start Saturday’s match at the Stadium of Light against Norwich, as Sunderland looks to bounce back after three straight losses.
