Alex Pritchard: Phillips issues ‘huge’ Sunderland claim after injury news confirmed
Kevin Phillips has claimed Sunderland will receive “a huge boost” when Alex Pritchard returns from injury.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the Stadium of Light legend heaped praise on the “amazing” 28-year-old who has “stepped up to the plate” this season.
Pritchard has been sidelined since Sunderland’s goalless draw with Charlton on 5 March.
As quoted by the Chronicle (18 March), Black Cats boss Alex Neil revealed the attacking midfielder will be back out on the grass this week.
Sunderland’s next fixture is against Gillingham on 2 April.
When asked for his reaction to the news, Phillips told Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs: “Pritchard has been the player who has stepped up to the plate this season.
“He has put in some amazing performances.
“He clearly is one of their high-profile players. You would probably say him and Aiden McGeady are the two who stand out.
“It is not ideal that he is missing games at this stage of the season. Sunderland need to win football matches and they could do with a creative player like him on the pitch. We saw that at the weekend.
“It’s not ideal but it’s great that he will be back soon. It will be a huge boost when he’s back in training.”
Pritchard has contributed four goals and 12 assists in 39 appearances across all competitions this term.
His contract at the Stadium of Light runs until the summer of 2023.
In other news, a finance expert has claimed this is how Sunderland can rocket past £1.6million after a new deal is announced.