MCLAUGHLIN RETURNS TO SUNDERLAND XI

Posted on May 22, 2021 in Millwall

Sunderland right-back Conor McLaughlin made a quick recovery to return to the starting XI for the away win over Plymouth Argyle at the weekend. The Northern Ireland international was in the Sunderland squad that secured a playoff spot in League One with a 3-1 away win at Plymouth.

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Ahead of the game, Sunderland boss Lee Johnson told reporters that Conor McLaughlin has made a miraculous recovery two weeks after hernia surgery.

Conor McLaughlin played his part as Sunderland ended a run of seven matches without a win in the league to seal the playoffs in the third tier of English football. His return helped shore up a defence that conceded six goals in three games before the Plymouth clash.

In his penultimate interview, Lee Johnson told reporters that Conor McLaughlin could be fit for the last league game of the season against Northampton Town but he made a quick recovery to make himself available for the penultimate league match of the season.

McLaughlin was named in the starting line-up for the away game at Plymouth and he went on to play the first half before being replaced by compatriot Carl Winchester.

At the time of his exit, Sunderland had scored the opening goal of the game throughRoss Stewart. His goal came midway through the first half. Joe Edwards scored the equaliser for the home side shortly after the hour mark before two late goals gave the Black Cats the much needed win to end the long winless run and also seal a place in the playoffs.

Fulhamloanee Jerome Opoku was sent off for two yellow cards two minutes after the equaliser from his team. Defender Opoku is on loan at Plymouth from Premier League club Fulham. Sunderland didn’t make the numerical advantage count until the final six minutes through goals from substitute Chris Maguire and Denver Hume.