Tony Mowbray has no doubts that Joe Gelhardt will score goals for Sunderland - and insists in the meantime his all-round contribution is proving just as valuable. On-loan Leeds United striker Gelhardt joined the Black Cats at the end of January and, with Ross Stewart ruled out for the remainder of the season, is now the only specialist centre-forward available to Mowbray.
It is a big responsibility to put on the shoulders of a 20-year-old who has been largely a bit-part player at Leeds, and Gelhardt has yet to score his first goal in Sunderland colours. But he is getting into the right positions, getting on the end of chances, and only the woodwork denied him a goal at QPR last Tuesday.
"I've got no issues about Joffy [Gelhardt]," said Mowbray. "He'll find the net for us.
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"He's been working really, really, hard and that's important. The team appreciates the work and the effort and the running and the closing-down.
"As a striker, he'd want to have goals next to his name and we have to keep working hard, as he does, and hopefully the goals will come."
While Gelhardt is goalless in his first four outings for the club, he offers a focal point for the team and has shown a willingness to work hard and close down defenders. And in the weekend draw against Bristol City at the Stadium of Light, he was heavily involved in the build-up to Jack Clarke's opener on the hour, and - while there was still a lot for the winger to do - Gelhardt's pass meant he was credited with the assist.
Mowbray said: "He had an amazing part to play in Jack's goal at the weekend. He was involved twice in the build-up - the build-up started in our own defensive third near the corner flag and we build out through a throw-in, there were three or four interactions and Joe was involved in a couple of those.
"Then he set Jack away and he rifled it into the top corner It's not just judging him on goals, he has worked extroadinarily hard for the team.
"It would be great for the kid's belief and confidence if he could notch a goal or two as he goes along because it's been a while since he has played as much football. I'm consciously thinking, when 70 minutes has gone, you wouln't really want to take your striker off but there's another game and he has to start again on Tuesday and then on Saturday because we haven't got any other options, so I'm trying to manage his time but trying to win the games as well.
"We're really pleased with him, he's working his socks off, and I know the goals will come if we keep on trying to create the chances."
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