Sunderland's World Cup duo Jewison Bennette and Bailey Wright were left out against West Brom after returning to Wearside short of fitness, according to boss Tony Mowbray. Bennette and Wright were both involved in the tournament in Qatar, with the former's Costa Rica side bowing out at the group stage while the latter's Australia team were knocked out by Argentina in the last 16.
Defender Wright returned to Wearside at the beginning of last week and was involved in Sunderland's behind-closed-doors friendly against Middlesbrough at Rockliffe Park nine days ago, with winger Bennette arriving back in the North East slightly later. But neither made the squad for Sunderland's home defeat against the Baggies, with Mowbray explaining that their fitness levels needed rebuilding because their training during the World Cup was structured differently.
"They were alright," said Mowbray. "In their minds, they will be fine.
READ MORE: Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray gives latest update on Ross Stewart's fitness ahead of Hull City trip
"Their [national] federations send us their training data, and it was considerably down on what we would be doing during the week because you have to be mindful that they would generally either be recovering or preparing for a game, rather than doing physical training with four days to go until a matchday. Their loads were down, really, because they will have been preparing their starting lineups and doing tactical stuff.
"The call was that they weren't up to speed so let's get them training with us, let's make them puff and pant to the point where they are blowing because training is more physically demanding, like the games in England are going to be more physically demanding. That's why they weren't ready.
"Their numbers after three weeks away weren't at the level that we train at. They might be OK in their minds and they might think they can play, but then they get on the pitch and within five minutes they are blowing really hard.
"It's just a case of integrating them back in."
Sunderland's Championship campaign continues on Saturday at Hull City, and it is possible that Wright and Bennette could return to the squad for the trip to the MKM Stadium.
READ NEXT:
- Martin O'Neill makes Sunderland Champions League claim after Millwall win
- Tony Mowbray and Sunderland handed Dan Ballard boost after U21s outing
- Kyril Louis-Dreyfus explains Sunderland's transfer strategy going into the January window
- Kyril Louis-Dreyfus says Sunderland are improving all the time - but still have a long way to go
- Sunderland's 'protect mode' malfunctioned against West Brom on a night when lessons must be learned
