MIKE DODDS has dismissed suggestions that Jobe Bellingham needs a rest, and insisted that the teenager’s statistics suggest he is as fit as ever.

Having joined Sunderland from Birmingham City in the summer, Bellingham is having an extremely busy first full season in the Championship.

The 18-year-old has started 32 of the Black Cats’ 35 league matches so far this term, and is expected to remain in the line-up for this evening’s home game with leaders Leicester City.

It has been suggested in the last few weeks that the youngster is not playing at his best and would perhaps benefit from a spell out of the team.

However, while Dodds admits he is always mindful of Bellingham’s age – the midfielder does not turn 19 until September – he insists the data suggests that the teenager’s physical output remains as impressive as ever.

“It's something we've got to be mindful of because he's 18,” said Sunderland’s interim boss. “But the beauty of my position is we have access to so much data around distance covered, high-speed running and all of those types of things. If we felt that there was a huge drop off in terms of what he gives us, then that's something we would have to focus on.

“But the one thing I would say about Jobe is he is always near the top when it comes to distance covered, high-intensity running, all of those types of things. We're monitoring that all the time with all the players and if we see something where the physios or the sport science department flag up that someone is potentially fatiguing or flatlining, then you have that conversation.

“I really don't want to be that guy who talks about data too much, but the facts are that when he plays, he covers a huge amount of distance for us. The second half against Swansea in particular, the distance he covered in terms of his high-speed running were some of the best of the season - so he got stronger as that one went on.

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“I understand it being a talking point and completely get it given that he's 18, but it's something we're monitoring and if the time comes where we have to make a decision, then we will.”

Adil Aouchiche is one of the players who could potentially replace Bellingham in Sunderland’s starting side, but while the Frenchman was becoming an increasingly prominent prominence under Tony Mowbray, he has faded back into the background under both Dodds and his predecessor Michael Beale.

Aouchiche was an unused substitute as Sunderland lost at Norwich City last weekend, but having spoken with the forward in the last few days, Dodds claims he is getting closer to what would be his first senior start since December.

“I had a conversation with Adil this week and I feel like we've got him in a spot where he's got a level of concentration and focus that's really important for a head coach if you're going to pick a player,” he said. “I think we've got him in a good spot right now and so I don't think he's a million miles away from the team.

“My dilemma when I'm selecting a team is (assessing) Adil's assets and qualities and whether they're positively or negatively counteracting the opposition. So, it's about finding the right opportunity where we can best use Adil and the qualities he has.

“We've had quite a long conversation with him in terms of where he's at with his concentration and focus, which has been miles better. So yeah, as a result of that, he isn't a million miles away from our thought processes.”