Alex Neil has taken a more cautious approach with Nathan Broadhead in the striker's latest injury comeback - with the Sunderland boss conscious of the impact he could have on the League One run-in. Broadhead came off the bench to score the injury-time winner against Gillingham on Wearside last weekend which kept the Black Cats firmly in the hunt for a play-off place.
It was the on-loan Everton striker's first appearance for a month after he aggravated a hamstring problem at Charlton at the beginning of March, in what was his first game back since suffering the injury before Christmas. Broadhead's return has come with Sunderland in the midst of a battle to secure a top six finish, and with it a shot at promotion through the play-offs.
And with the 24-year-old having now scored seven goals in his last eight games in all competitions - either side of his injury issues - his goal threat will give Sunderland a major boost in the final six games of the regular campaign. "The proof will be in the pudding," said Neil of the impact Broadhead can have in the run-in.
