Mike Dodds has hinted Tommy Watson will feature in some capacity against Sheffield Wednesday on the final day of the Championship campaign after being named on the bench in Sunderland's defeat to Watford.

The England youth international has been one of the standout performers for the Black Cats U21s in their play-off campaign, leading to a clamour for him to feature in the first-team.

While U21s boss Graeme Murty was keen to temper expectations, Dodds felt he deserved his opportunity against the Hornets after impressing for the young Black Cats in the 2-1 win over Liverpool at Eppleton on Monday night. His inclusion on the bench left no room for Bradley Dack and Mason Burstow, both of whom were left out of the matchday squad with their long-term future on Wearside unclear.

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“There was a little bit of that though that wasn't the final decision,” Dodds revealed in his post-match press conference.

“Bradley had been in and out of training, he'd only trained once in the week and so I didn't want to include him without that full week under his belt. I spoke to Mason, that was more that when I was planning my bench - I didn't see a scenario where I was going to put both Mason and Luis Hemir on the pitch.

“I also felt that when I watched Tommy Watson for the U21s earlier this week that he deserved an opportunity to be in and around the squad. He's been training with us lately and will do so again next week, so we'll see how he does then.”

Watson could be handed his first minutes of the 2023/24 campaign in Sunderland's final game of the season against Sheffield Wednesday. Danny Rohl's side need just a point at the Stadium of Light next weekend, to secure their second tier status after battling against relegation.