Dennis Cirkin is set to make his return to Sunderland's Championship campaign this weekend as Tony Mowbray looks to add more physicality to his side. Defender Cirkin has been out of action with a hamstring problem for over a month, but was brought back into Sunderland's matchday squad for last weekend's defeat at Swansea City - although he was an unused substitute in South Wales.
He then played the full 90 minutes of Monday night's U21 game against Leeds United on Wearside, and now Mowbray has indicated that he will be involved against Wigan Atletic on Saturday, although whether that is from the bench or as part of the starting XI remains to be seen. With strikers Ross Stewart and Ellis Simms still injured, Mowbray has been concerned at Sunderland's lack of height and physicality when defending set-plays and Wigan - who can call upon the likes of Josh Magennis, Will Keane, and ex-Black Cat Charlie Wyke - could try to exploit that.
At just under 6ft, Cirkin is no giant but he does bring some additional presence to the side. "Physicality is really important, but I don't really want to talk too much about our physicality - or the lack of it - because other teams all watch [Sunderland's games], they can see," said Mowbray.
