Sunderland interim boss Mike Dodds spoke to the press on Thursday ahead of his side’s Championship clash vs Millwall.
Sunderland play their second last home game of the season on Saturday, welcoming Championship strugglers Millwall to the Stadium of Light.
The Londoners were in hot water a few weeks ago when they sacked manager Joe Edwards.
But since re-hiring club legend Neil Harris, Millwall have moved up into 16th and now have a six-point gap to the bottom three, going into this weekend on back-to-back wins.
Sunderland have also found some form recently.
Dodds watched on as his side claimed a 1-0 win away at West Brom last time out, following a 0-0 draw vs Leeds United in the game before.
The Black Cats have lost just one of their last six now, currently sitting in 13th.
Sunderland team news latest ahead of Millwall
Dodds gave a fresh update on Corry Evans on Thursday afternoon.
Dodds said that Evans will ‘definitely’ feature in the following game vs Watford at the end of the month, if he doesn’t make the team to face Millwall.
Elsewhere, Dennis Cirkin remains sidelined, with Dodds hinting that the full-back may not feature until next season now.
Mike Dodds shares Nazariy Rusyn injury latest
Dodds also gave a new update on striker Nazariy Rusyn.
The striker has been sidelined since March with a calf injury, following what’s been a tough maiden season for the 25-year-old who signed from Ukrainian outfit Zorya last summer.
Dodds said of Rusyn ahead of the Millwall game:
“He’s part training with the group at the moment. I think the reality is this game and the next game will probably be too close. Sheffield Wednesday [final game of the season] potentially will probably be more realistic.”
Rumours surfaced online this month suggesting that Rusyn wants to leave Sunderland in the summer.
As per SalarySport, Rusyn earns £9,000-a-week at Sunderland.
Nazariy Rusyn injury gives one Black Cats star another audition
The no.9 spot has been a contested one for Sunderland for some time now.
None of the strikers signed last summer have kicked on, but Dodds has eased the blow of not having a prolific no.9 by placing Jobe Bellingham in that position.
The attacking midfielder who signed from Birmingham City last summer has seven goals in the Championship this season.
And he’s led the line effectively in the last few games.
He gives the team that much-needed energy and work-rate that the likes of Luis Hemir just wasn’t providing beforehand.
And with Rusyn still sidelined, it will surely mean Dodds starts Bellingham up top vs Millwall.
The 18-year-old appears to be figuring out his best position still, but if he continues to shine as a no.9 until the end of the season, Sunderland could go into next season viewing Bellingham as an out and out striker.