Luke McNally’s goal shortly after halftime was enough to give the Potters all three points after Jack Clarke’s equalizer, which came after Ryan Mmaee had given the hosts the lead, was insufficient for the Black Cats.
The Black Cats have now suffered two losses in a row after losing to Middlesbrough 4-0 just before the October international break.
However, Tony Mowbray’s team is now sixth in the Championship standings, and they will be hoping to immediately improve when they take on league-leading Leicester City on Tuesday night at The King Power Stadium.
So with that in mind, we’ve taken a look at all the latest Sunderland news ahead of that game, right here.
Matete injury update
Following a loan spell where he helped Plymouth Argyle lift the League One title last season, Matete has endured a frustrating time of things since he returned to Sunderland over the summer.
Since linking back-up with the first-team squad at the Stadium of Light, the central midfielder has been unable to make a single appearance for the Black Cats during the current campaign due to a knee issue picked up in pre-season, though it seems he may not be too far away from a return now.
Providing an update on the 22-year-old ahead of that clash with Stoke, Mowbray revealed that Matete is making positive progress in training, meaning the Black Cats boss now expects to have the midfielder available for selection again, next month.
Mowbray explains striker decision vs Stoke
One intriguing tactical call made by Mowbray in Sunderland’s defeat to Stoke, was the decision not to start a recognised centre forward against the Potters.
Instead, both Nazary Rusyn and Mason were introduced shortly after the hour-mark in that game, with Mowbray explaining post-match that their absence from the starting XI, was down to the fact that they had only trained with the squad for a couple of days ahead of the trip to Stoke, having been on international duty.
Mowbray was instead seemingly keen to work with a side that had been together for longer in the build-up to that game, especially given the success they had enjoyed while playing without a number nine last season.
Last month saw Sunderland send young defender Zak Johnson out on loan to Hartlepool United, in a bid to get him more game time.
That does appear to have worked out as the 19-year-old has made five league starts for the National League team and has played once in FA Cup qualification for the team.
The Hartlepool Mail has learned that the fifth-tier club has chosen to extend Johnson’s loan agreement, which means the teenager will continue to see regular playing time over the coming few months. Johnson’s first loan agreement was scheduled to expire as a result.
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