Tony Mowbray has held talks with former Celtic favourite Patrick Roberts over his lack of regular game-time at Sunderland - with a former Rangers man the key issue.
The former Hoops boss has labelled the one-time Manchester City kid as the 'most talented' footballer in the English Championship - yet he can't get near the starting team for the Black Cats due to the red-hot form of loanee Amad Diallo. The youngster is showing the promise that was hoped of him on his arrival to Ibrox last January with four goals and one assist in his last six outings.
His time at Rangers under Giovanni van Bronckhorst didn't go to plan but after another stint away from Manchester United this season, he's finally beginning to show the talents that had the Red Devils pay big, big money to bring him on board. It's good news for Mowbray on that front, but it has also left him having a difficult one-to-one chat with Roberts to explain why he hasn't been getting as much action.
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Speaking about Diallo, Mowbray said: "He's only playing on a regular basis because of his talent. I have to sit Patrick Roberts down in my office, who, in my opinion, is probably the most talented footballer in this league, yet he's not playing.
"'Why am I not playing if you think I'm that talented?' 'Well, because this kid assists and scores goals Pat, and with total respect, you scored two amazing goals away at Reading this season and you've had some assists, but Amad's on fire at the moment and he plays in the same position as you'.
"My job is to try to find a way of putting them both in the team, yet you have to pick and choose the games where you feel you can be dominant with the ball and put them both in the team at the same time."
Sunderland currently sit tenth in England's second tier following their promotion from League One last term.
They are just one point behind QPR in sixth while they are eight points behind the automatic promotion spots as they bid to return to the riches of the English Premier League.
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