Sunderland hero Kevin Phillips believes Wilson Isidor can step up to score the goals for Regis Le Bris' side if Brian Brobbey is sidelined.
Sunderland icon Kevin Phillips believes Wilson Isidor can "step up" to the goalscoring mantle for the Black Cats if required amid the potential of a period on the sidelines for Brian Brobbey.
Ahead of the international break, both Isidor and Brobbey had gotten off the mark for Sunderland this season, with the Haitian's substitute winner against Fulham and the Dutchman's emphatic hat-trick at Manchester City being their only Premier League goals thus far.
However, in an unfortunate blow for Black Cats boss Regis Le Bris, Brobbey was forced off for the Netherlands against Germany in the first week of the international break with a worrying hamstring concern, coming just days after his trio of goals at the Etihad.
Now, Sunderland supporters are nervously awaiting to see how long the bullish number nine will be sidelined for ahead of the Premier League return at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on October 10, but Black Cats hero Phillips believes that Isidor can keep the Black Cats' goals flowing.
Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips (REUTERS)Kevin Phillips Believes In Wilson Isidor Amid Brian Brobbey Injury
If ever there was a man to trust regarding Sunderland and goals, it is most certainly 'Super Kev'.
Between 1997-2003, centre-forward Phillips netted a staggering 113 goals in just 208 appearances for the Black Cats, and became the first Englishman to win the European Golden Boot for his 30-goal tally in Sunderland's 1999/2000 top flight season.
Therefore, the backing of Phillips amid the injury woe to Brobbey should only breed further confidence in Isidor that he can do as Sunderland's greatest-ever goalscorer says, and step up to the plate following the international break.
As quoted by the Sunderland Echo, Phillips said: "Well, he's going to have to fill that gap [left by Brian Brobbey].
"I had a chat with Wilson during the summer, saying that he's been frustrated with his limited game time, but I said you're going to get plenty of minutes this season with the league, the Europa (League), and the cup games.
"Obviously, he didn't foresee Brobbey getting injured, but it's probably going to happen at some point. So now it's an opportunity for him and others to step up.
"Brobbey clearly is a big, big miss, and hopefully, it isn't as bad as feared, and he's back very, very quickly, because he's a huge player for Sunderland.
"But Isidor's already shown he can cope with his enthusiasm and his energy. So it's an opportunity for him to step up and score the goals to keep Sunderland moving in the right direction."
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Despite his affiliation with Sunderland and Isidor, Phillips' comments are clearly guided by facts rather than sentimenality.
Within the international break, Isidor has netted three goals and notched two assists in three outings for Haiti, earning two justified man of the match awards in the process for his outstanding number nine exploits in his nation's three consecutive CONCACAF Nations League group victories.
As a result, Isidor has hit goalscoring form for Haiti at the ideal moment for Sunderland, given the fears of how long Brobbey could be sidelined for, but even when both fit, the often-impact substitute could actually be the better option.
Sunderland's Wilson Isidor shoots at Hull City's goal (Action Images via Reuters)Wilson Isidor Can Shine For Sunderland In Next Run Of Games
Sunderland face a testing run of fixtures in multiple competitions after the international break, with the likes of Brighton, SCU Torreense, Bournemouth, Lech Poznan, Leeds United, Brentford and Coventry City on the horizon.
Interestingly, Isidor has scored against several of those opponents, with notable goals coming in the promotion-winning Championship campaign coming for Sunderland against Leeds and Coventry, and one against Brentford in the early stages of last season.
His previous goals against the aforementioned trio will be a confidence-building factor for the Sunderland striker heading into the next stage of the season.
Additionally, his raw pace and runs in-behind could also be extremely helpful for Sunderland to unlock low-resting defences, that would be expected against lesser opposition in the Europa League akin to Portuguese second division side SCU Torreense and Polish outfit Lech Poznan.
