Corry Evans is a key component in Sunderland's midfield according to Alex Neil, after the Northern Ireland international helped turn the tide against Shrewsbury Town. Evans does the unglamorous work in the middle of the park which can often go unnoticed, but Neil is in no doubt about the importance of the 31-year-old's contribution.
And Evans played a major part in the win against the Shrews, after the visitors had fought back from 2-0 down to level at the Stadium of Light, at which point Sunderland were on the ropes. But Evans stiffened up the midfield, allowing Sunderland to reassert the dominance they had shown in the first half and ultimately they won 3-2 thanks to Nathan Broadhead's injury-time header.
"It's difficult sometimes when you are watching the game you see the exciting players that win the ball and beat people, but what Corry does is snuffs out counter-attacks just by being in the right position," said Neil. "It doesn't break to them and then he needs to get across and stop it, he stops it by landing on the ball every time it drops out.
READ MORE: Sunderland showed 'the best and the worst' of themselves in their see-saw victory against Shrewsbury
"When you see him at the end of the game, all he does is position himself really, really, well. It's his experience, he limits his touches, he recycles the ball, he gets us building down both sides, and he does that extremely well.
"He's a very good leader in terms of what he is doing on the pitch. I think he has been key for me since I've been here."
Evans started the game at Oxford last weekend and scored the opening goal in the 2-1 win but was left out of the starting XI against Shrewsbury, with Neil saying afterwards that that decision was taken with Monday's trip to Plymouth in mind. Asked if that was the reason, he said: "I'm glad to say now, after we've won, yes!
"If it was a non-victory then I would have been sitting there thinking 'that was a bad decision'."
Alex Pritchard missed the Shrewsbury game as he continues to recover from an ankle issue, and Sunderland will make a check on him before they fly to Plymouth later today. "Alex wasn't fit," said Neil.
"We'll have a call on him, but obviously it is a quick turnaround so we'll see how he goes over the next 24 hours."
On-loan Bayern Munich goalkeeper Thorben Hoffmann was absent from the bench against Shrewsbury, as was on-loan Manchester City defender Callum Doyle, with Neil revealing that they missed out due to illness. He said: "Hoff was ill yesterday morning. He saw the doctor at 10am, and was given some tablets.
"Callum Doyle was ill yesterday as well, and Leon Dajaku has been ill recently as well so there seems to be a bug floating about. Unfortunately, three of the lads were missing because of that."
For the latest Sunderland news direct to your inbox, go here to sign up to our free newsletter
