Dion Sanderson temporarily left Wolverhampton Wanderers to get more playing time last month, joining Sunderland on a season-long loan, but his time at the Stadium of Light isn’t quite going to plan.
Big things were expected of the 20-year-old after he impressed at Cardiff City last season, but he’s low down the pecking order under Phil Parkinson and is struggling for playing time.
What’s gone wrong at Sunderland?
Sanderson has made only three appearances in all competitions for the Black Cats this season, amassing a paltry 181 minutes of football. The centre-back joined Sunderland on October 16 but he told Chronicle Live that he didn’t make his debut for two weeks due to qualms over his fitness.
He was left out of the matchday squad in Sunderland’s 2-0 win over Swindon Town (October 17), 1-0 win over Crewe Alexandra (October 20) and 3-1 defeat to Portsmouth (October 24). Sanderson made his debut in the Black Cats’ 2-2 draw with Rochdale United and the Sunderland Echo noted that he put in a good performance.
Unfortunately, that the only League One start the 20-year-old has made, as he was an unused substitute in Sunderland’s 2-0 win over Gillingham Town (October 31) and was given just one minute from the bench in their 2-1 win over Ipswich Town (November 3). A slight injury worry may have been to blame.
Sanderson played a full 90 minutes in the FA Cup defeat to Mansfield Town (November 7) but was left out of the squad in their EFL Trophy defeat to Fleetwood Town (November 11), so it’s been a mixed bag for him.
With Bailey Wright, Tom Flanagan and Jordan Willis ahead in the pecking order, coupled with the Black Cats picking up positive results in League One (four wins and a draw from last six games) and having the best defensive record (10 games, 7 goals), Sanderson will have to be patient.
There’s plenty of the season remaining, however, so he should get more opportunities.
Does he have a future at Wolves?
Yes. Although Romain Saiss, Willy Boly, Max Kilman and Conor Coady stand in his way of getting playing time under Nuno Espirito Santo, Sanderson should eventually add to his solitary appearance for Wolves.
He’s rated highly in the Midlands and will be given a chance if he can impress while out on loan.
In other news, Wolverhampton Wanderers are eyeing a January move for Djed Spence, but who is he?
