12 games, 1 goal: Sinclair must use EFL Trophy game to kick-start Sunderland career

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When Sunderland signed Jerome Sinclair on loan this season, fans believed it was a major coup.

The ex-Liverpool striker, now at Watford, has previously been rated as one of the hottest young prospects in English football.

But after a poor loan spell at Birmingham City, where he failed to score in five appearances, Sinclair was sent to League One to develop his game.

Quite a few fans expected Sinclair to be a regular name on the score-sheet. But he has struggled at The Stadium of Light.

The 22-year-old has played 12 games for Sunderland and scored just the one goal – coming against Peterborough United in the league.

Meanwhile, Josh Maja, 19, is putting Sinclair to shame with his tally of nine goals in 18 games.

Sinclair’s all round game has not been bad but he needs to score goals to justify why he should be in the side as a striker.

With Charlie Wyke set to return from injury before Christmas, Sinclair will be running out of opportunities to stake his claim to remain in the side.

The ex-England under-17 international is likely to start up front against Morecambe in the EFL Trophy tonight.

Sinclair must score against Morecambe to kick-start his Sunderland career and prove a point to parent club Watford.