Former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips is delighted after Lee Johnson revealed that Dion Sanderson should be available for the League One play-offs.

Phillips delighted with Johnson's Sanderson claim

The 21-year-old has been an important player for the Black Cats so far this season, playing 26 times in League One (Transfermarkt).

Unfortunately, he has missed the last three games with injury, and there were fears that he would not be available to play between now and the end of his loan spell. However, Johnson has revealed that the youngster should be available for the end of the campaign (Chronicle Live), and speaking to Football Insider, Phillips shared his delight at this news. The man affectionately known as 'Super Kev' said:

"Sanderson has been an amazing player for them this season in the heart of the defence.

"If he was back for the play-offs it would be a huge boost for Sunderland and for the player himself.

"He will be gutted watching Sunderland struggling at the moment. You can see that the defence is not the same without him.

"If they can get him back for the play-offs it would be a big boost. They are going to go into the play-offs a little disappointed because three or four weeks ago they were looked like they were nailed on to go up automatically.

"Mentally, to have him come back would be a big boost for everyone."

Important

Sanderson has been a crucial player this season, especially since Johnson took over from Phil Parkinson in the dugout. In the 26 matches in which he has appeared in the third tier, Sunderland have lost on just four occasions - without him at the back, it is hard to see how they would have been able to mount a promotion challenge.

No wins in five (Sky Sports) has meant that the Wearside outfit will likely have to make do with a place in the play-offs. It's not what they will have wanted, of course, but it still gives them a chance to go up to the Championship, and having Sanderson back will give them a far better chance of doing just that. It's no surprise that Phillips is thrilled with Johnson's encouraging update on the youngster.

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