Amad's talent as a potential matchwinner has left Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray wrestling with a dilemma as he seeks to manage the youngster's gametime. The on-loan Manchester United forward is a key component in Mowbray's Black Cats team, and there is a temptation to play him for 90 minutes every game.
But Mowbray knows that comes at the risk of injury, while fatigue will inevitably reduce his effectiveness as the games catch up with him. Amad has started 20 of Sunderland's last 21 games in all competitions, with Mowbray giving him a breather at QPR ten days ago - albeit the 20-year-old was still involved from the bench for the final half-hour - before restoring him the starting XI against Bristol City last weekend, and he kept his place at Rotherham in midweek.
Amad was a huge hit when he first broke into the side on a regular basis in October, scoring five goals in seven games, but while he is still one of Sunderland's star men, in recent weeks he has - understandably - looked a little jaded at times. Sunderland head to Coventry City tomorrow for what will be their seventh game in 22 days and Amad is virtually certain to start once again, but Mowbray is conscious of the demands on the youngster.
