Tony Mowbray sees Ross Stewart's 'engagement' in training as a positive sign as Sunderland continue their atttempts to tie down their star striker to a new contract. The future of Scotland international Stewart has been under intense scrutiny as contract negotiations have dragged on, and numerous clubs have been linked with the 26-year-old.
But Stewart has not allowed off-field matters to distract him, and has scored in each of the last five games since he returned to action following a thigh injury - and his last six outings if the game immediately before his injury is included in the run. Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray is being asked on a weekly basis for updates on his top scorer's situation but has stuck to the line that contract negotiations are the responsibility of sporting director Kristjaan Speakman, and says he is simply concentrating on getting the best out of Stewart on the pitch.
Asked whether he was confident Stewart would sign a new deal, Mowbray said: "Am I confident? I'll be confident when he puts pen to paper and we announce that he's signed a new deal! What I do know is that he's training really well, he's in a positive frame of mind.
