Sunderland’s Premier League promotion aspirations will be tested by Cardiff’s in-form striker, Youssef Salech.
Sunderland host Cardiff City on Saturday in another Championship must-win match. The Black Cats host the Welsh side at the Stadium of Light at 3 p.m.
Regis Le Bris’ side rallied back in style, defeating Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 at Hillsborough. The victory sealed their fourth-place finish as the Championship promotion race approaches an explosive end.
Sunderland trail third-placed Burnley by six points and are two points behind Sheffield United, who hold the final promotion slot. While a play-off spot appears to be a certain, Le Bris wants his team to continue battling for the top two.
Cardiff stands in their way this Saturday. The Bluebirds are fourth bottom and in a serious relegation race, but they have showed some fight and form in recent games, losing 2-1 to Burnley in their last outing. The defeat was expected against a promotion-chasing club, but they were encouraged by becoming the first team in the league to score against Burnley since December.
Yousef Salech, 23, signed from Swedish club Sirius in January and scored his sixth goal in 11 games. The striker poses the most serious threat to Sunderland’s backline on Saturday, and his manager has backed him to be a thorn in defences’ sides, admitting that his transfer was a gamble.
When asked if he was surprised by Salech’s success in English football, manager Omer Riza told WalesOnline: “When I wanted to sign him, the message was, ‘This is on you.'” Is he ready for the Championship? Will he be able to achieve this? Or do that?
“I said, ‘Look, I’m telling you what he’s going to do,’ and so far, touch wood, he’s following through. I often say, “Live by the sword, die by the sword,” and I hope that continues. I do not want to put too much pressure on him. We have other players up there, like (Callum Robinson), who can score goals; that is their job.
“He was good (against Burnley), Yousef; he was strong, won his headers, first and second balls, and attempted to bring the ball in. He both generated and took advantage of opportunities. I’m quite happy with him.
“I was confident he would perform well. Players take time to settle, but other than the first couple of days when he looked a bit nervy coming into the group, he takes things in his stride. I keep saying, he is honest, hard working, hungry, wants to get better, engaged, he’s scored five now and could have had a hat-trick today! He is doing excellent and working hard.”
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