Forgotten Sunderland star in contention to make shock start vs Millwall, it could be a masterclass

Sunderland return to Championship action on Saturday, against a familiar former face in Alex Neil who’s now in charge of Millwall.

Millwall appointed Alex Neil back in December after the Scot had spent almost exactly a year out of the game following his sacking at Stoke City way back in December 2023.

He was the one who guided Sunderland out of League One and now Regis Le Bris is trying to get the club out of the Championship, with the Black Cats remaining in 4th place of the table despite a hugely worrying 3-0 defeat at Coventry City last time out.

Le Bris was critical of his Sunderland players after that game and rightly so: it was their heaviest defeat under Le Bris so far and by far their worst performance of the season, and against a team who they could end up facing in the play-offs.

Ahead of the return to action, Millwall sit in 11th place of the table and only six points behind Tony Mowbray’s West Brom in 6th, with two wins in their last three.

READ MORE: One Millwall player that Sunderland should target, and a set-piece goal threat that could exploit Regis Le Bris

Photo by Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images — Could Jenson Seelt start for Sunderland vs Millwall?

During the March international break, Sunderland had a number of players in action, including Trai Hume who was away with Northern Ireland. But the Sunderland Player of the Year candidate only featured in the first game, missing the second with a hip injury which has since caused a bit of debate.

What were the positives and negatives from Sunderland's draw at Millwall? - Roker Report

Nick Barnes says Hume should be fit to feature for Sunderland against Millwall but also suggested that Le Bris will be unhappy with Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill for revealing the specifics of Hume’s injury. And at the same time, Le Bris may be cautious of deploying Hume knowing that he’ll be needed for the run in and the play-offs, should Sunderland make it.

In turn, then, it could be a first start of the season for Jenson Seelt who made his first appearance of the season against Coventry City last time out, following a prolonged period on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.

READ MORE: Gus Poyet once revived the career of man who ‘suffered’ under Paolo Di Canio, he was ‘incredible’ for Sunderland

Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Jenson Seelt opens up on difficult Sunderland recovery

Seelt was just starting to come into his own before a serious knee injury in March 2024 sidelined him for what’s been 12 months.

In recent weeks and months, Seelt has been playing for the U21s and then got his opportunity against Coventry, putting in a steady enough display in what was an otherwise disastrous team performance.

Whether or not he’s ready and confident to feature from the off against Millwall remains to be seen. But Le Bris may simply need him to be given the injury concern for Hume.

Matchday Musings: Frustration and optimism as Sunderland share the spoils with Millwall - Roker Report

It would be a great chance for Seelt to get back up and running with the 21-year-old previously opening up on his injury woes at Sunderland saying: “The gaffer has been massively supportive.

“He gave me a really good feeling from the beginning. He was open to speak to, making sure I was always involved. It has been frustrating to be sidelined but also brilliant to see the team succeeding.”

Sunderland’s game against Millwall kicks off at 3pm on Saturday at the Stadium of Light.