Kevin Phillips has praised Alex Neil for his decision to not rush Alex Pritchard back from injury. The 28-year-old is enjoying a fine debut season at the Stadium of Light after arriving on a free transfer from Huddersfield last summer - bagging four goals and nine assists in League One.
However, Pritchard has only featured once since the 0-0 draw away to Charlton on March 5 due to an ankle injury. After the 0-0 draw against Plymouth, Neil revealed he is ‘very, very hopeful’ that the Black Cats’ talisman will return ahead to action against Cambridge this weekend.
Sunderland legend Phillips praised Neil’s patience and believes his decision to ease the talisman back could pay dividends in the run-in.
“It’s a tough one but if he’s not fully fit the right decision is not to risk him, 100 per cent,” he told Football Insider. “All the games are big from now until the end of the season but they need him fit for the playoffs, should they get there.
“It’d look like a crazy decision if he plays and then gets ruled out for the rest of the season. For that reason, I think Alex Neil made the right choice. Pritchard is such a big player for Sunderland. He has so much quality. They need him fit for the play-offs. They’re high-pressure games and he’s a big-time player.”
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