Sunderland news: Phillips issues ‘massive’ Luke O’Nien claim after what he’s spotted
Kevin Phillips has stressed the “massive” importance of Sunderland keeping Luke O’Nien fit for the remainder of the season.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the Stadium of Light legend said there was a noticeable change from Alex Neil’s side when the 27-year-old made his return.
O’Nien returned to action earlier this month in a 3-1 win over Fleetwood Town having been sidelined for three months with a shoulder injury.
Alex Neil’s side are unbeaten since he made his comeback and have conceded only once.
As quoted by the Chronicle (11 March), Neil heaped praise on the midfielder for his impact this month.
The Black Cats box has been particularly impressed by O’Nien’s versatility.
When asked by Football Insider for his assessment of O’Nien’s influence on Wearside, Phillips said:
“I was at the Fleetwood game and you could see the lift he gave to the players around him. The atmosphere changed when he came on and he obviously scored the goal as well.
“He is a player who can change the course of a game. It shouldn’t be that way but it is.
“Luke is a player who has drive and the right attitude. He demands more from those around him. To have his organisation and passion back is great to see.
“Let’s hope that they keep him fit for the rest of the season. It’s really important because he’s a massive player for Sunderland.”
In other news, a finance expert has claimed Sunderland could be handed a transfer boost by news from a ‘massive club’ in Europe.