Grant Leadbitter and Lewis Morgan eyeing debuts as Sunderland host Wimbledon

Posted Friday, February 01, 2019 by PA

Sunderland could hand debuts to new recruits Grant Leadbitter and Lewis Morgan when they welcome Wimbledon to the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

Midfielder Leadbitter returned to his first club from Middlesbrough earlier this week, while winger Morgan has arrived from Celtic on loan for the remainder of the season.

The promotion contenders have not played in League One since the 1-1 draw at Scunthorpe on January 19, during which time they have lost top scorer Josh Maja to Bordeaux.

However, midfielder George Honeyman is fit again after missing the last eight games with an ankle injury and could be involved.

Shane McLoughlin could be included in the Wimbledon squad for the first time after completing a switch from Sky Bet Championship Ipswich.

The 21-year-old has joined the bottom-of-the-table club on a permanent deal, although he may do well to force himself into the 18 following last weekend’s FA Cup fourth-round heroics against Premier League West Ham.

On-loan full-back Steve Seddon missed the 4-2 victory over the Hammers because he was cup-tied, and he is available once again.

Striker Kwesi Appiah returned from a hamstring problem last weekend and lasted 76 minutes, and there were starts too for defender Rod McDonald and midfielder Scott Wagstaff after injury.