Alim Ozturk must remind Jack Ross why he signed him in EFL Trophy clash

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In the summer Sunderland had to revamp their squad. With big earners and flops being shifted, new manager Jack Ross wanted players he knew could be trusted to give their all for the cause.

One such recruit turned out to be defender Alim Ozturk. The 25-year-old was Sunderland’s first signing of the summer and Ross’ first ever as the Sunderland manager.

He arrived on a free transfer after his contract with Turkish side Boluspor had come to an end. Ross had worked with the Turkish defender during their time at Hearts together and was hopeful he could solidify the club’s leaky defence.

Ozturk, however, had a difficult start to life at Sunderland, with early errors and patchy form seeing him pulled out of the starting XI.

At the moment it appears that Tom Flanagan and Jack Baldwin, fellow summer recruits, have the centre-back spots tied down.

However, Ozturk, who has not started a league game for the club since the 1st September, could be about to get a chance to show Ross what he has got.

Tomorrow night will see Sunderland take on Morecambe in the EFL Trophy. Sunderland are likely to change the team that faced Port Vale in the FA Cup at the weekend with Ozturk surely set to feature.

It would take quite the performance to convince Ross to throw him back in the XI after the international break. However, it would be good to remind him just why he was brought to Wearside in the first place.