Sunderland AFC news: Mike Dodds sends classy message to Southampton striker Ross Stewart after £10m move

Mike Dodds has sent this classy message to injured Southampton man Ross Stewart.

 

Following his recent injury struggles, Sunderland interim head coach Mike Dodds sent Southampton striker Ross Stewart a sophisticated message.

Stewart, who collaborated with Dodds at Sunderland, left the Black Cats to join Southampton for an estimated £10 million while recovering from an Achilles tendon injury.

Since joining the club, the Scottish striker has made two substitute appearances for the Saints but has been sidelined since November. Recently, Saints boss Russell Martin confirmed that the 27-year-old’s season is all but over, having played less than a half of football since his summer move.

Dodds responded, “I have a lot of love and respect for Ross Stewart,” when questioned about the Sunderland transfer agreement and Stewart’s current injury problems.

“He’s a wonderful lad as well as a superb football player for this football team. He was always happy to see you, he said. He was a really hard worker. To be completely honest, I am heartbroken and heartbroken for him.”

Stewart spent two full seasons at Sunderland after arriving on Wearside from SPL side Ross County in January 2021. Stewart started all 46 league games and three play-off fixtures as Sunderland won promotion from League One during the 2021-22 season.

“If he is listening to this, and I say this respectfully, I am not gutted or devastated that he is not available this weekend,” Dodds said. “I am aware of the extent of his pain at this moment. He has been out of sorts for about a year and wants to play football, and I know that.

“I have nothing but positive things to say about Ross, so I truly wish him the best and want to see him back on the turf playing as soon as possible—just not this weekend.

Along with two of his Saints teammates, Juan Larios and Newcastle United loanee Ryan Fraser, Stewart is out of Sunderland’s Championship match against Southampton on Saturday at St Mary’s. Sunderland is now on a five-game losing skid under interim head coach Dodds.

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