Alex Pritchard has issued a rallying cry to his fellow Sunderland players to step up to the plate in the absence of Ross Stewart. The Scottish striker limped out of the warm-up against Middlesbrough last time out, with Tony Mowbray admitting the talismanic striker could miss six to eight weeks of the season.
The news was a big blow to the Black Cats that evening, with Boro running out 1-0 winners at the Riverside in a comfortable display. The Wearsiders struggled in the final third to create chances for Ellis Simms with supporters questioning how they would fare in the remainder of Stewart's absence.
Sunderland of course, will have to find a way, to cope without last season's top goal scorer. Pritchard told Sky Sports: "Ross is a big player and we all know that. But look, Ross isn't with us at the moment and we've got to put that to the side. Ross will come back better and stronger but at the moment it's the boys that are available. We've got to step up now and put some balls in the net."
