---
title: "Sunderland: Tony Mowbray hints at Dennis Cirkin return"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wigan-team-news-cirkin-injury-championship/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Adam Clancy"
section: "Championship News"
published: "2022-10-14T11:42:20Z"
modified: "2022-10-14T11:42:20Z"
---

# Sunderland: Tony Mowbray hints at Dennis Cirkin return

**Tony Mowbray has hinted that Dennis Cirkin could finally make his return to the [Sunderland](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-afc-news/) team against Wigan Athletic in the [Championship](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/championship-news/) at the weekend.**

### The Lowdown: Delayed return

Before their 0-0 draw at home to Blackpool earlier this month, Mowbray claimed that Cirkin would be [on the bench](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-afc-news/blackpool-team-news-cirkin-injury-championship/) for the match, but in the end, he decided [not to risk him](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/dennis-cirkin/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/568006/plus/0?saison=2022&verein=289&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=) in the matchday squad.

Mowbray also [confirmed](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-afc-news/swansea-team-news-cirkin-injury-championship/) that they would make a decision on whether to play Cirkin against Swansea City, but he was left [on the bench](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/dennis-cirkin/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/568006/plus/0?saison=2022&verein=&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=) in the 2-1 loss last weekend.

Thus, it seems as if the defender is edging closer to a return to the starting line-up after his injury lay-off.

### The Latest: In contention

Speaking to the media in his pre-game press conference before their match against Wigan, Mowbray has now confirmed (via [The Chronicle](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sunderland-handed-key-fitness-boost-25255018?t=)) that there is a ‘fair chance’ that Cirkin will be involved:

*“Dennis isn’t 6ft 3in but he has got physicality, he has got strength, he wants to win and attack the ball, so there’s a fair chance that he’s got some involvement coming this weekend.”*

### The Verdict: Finally!

It will certainly be exciting for the Stadium of Light outfit to finally see Cirkin back on the pitch after not featuring since [early September](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/dennis-cirkin/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/568006/plus/0?saison=2022&verein=289&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=).

Before his injury, the 20-year-old had played in [every minute](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/dennis-cirkin/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/568006/plus/0?saison=2022&verein=&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=) of the Championship campaign, establishing himself as a key player in the side.

Cirkin has ranks highly among his teammates in terms of aerial duels won and average tackles, interceptions, clearances and blocks per game in the division so far this season ([WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/16/Show/England-Sunderland)), and so his physical and aerial ability could be crucial to taking all three points away from the Stadium of Light against the Latics.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”410591″\]