Forget Defoe: Alex Neil must now unleash "smashing" Sunderland beast, they need him - opinion

This week, former England striker Jermain Defoe announced his retirement from football aged 39 after a second stint at Sunderland proved unsuccessful.

The Englishman rejoined the League One outfit on 1 February but started just a couple of League One matches this season, failing to score.

The Black Cats’ top scorer Ross Stewart was naturally going to be ahead of Defoe in the pecking order, with the Scotsman netting 22 goals so far this season; whilst the currently injured Nathan Broadhead, who is on loan from Everton, has also impressed this term by netting seven times.

However, with Alex Neil’s side still in contention for a play-off place in sixth, the Wearside outfit will need as many alternatives as possible in the attacking department to ensure that they give themselves the best possible chance of securing promotion.

Therefore, in order to fill the void left by Defoe, young striker Benji Kimpioka should be considered for more game-time.

The 22-year-old Swede has been handed just two league appearances as a substitute in the first team this season but scored off the bench in the 5-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday in December, his last appearance for the senior side having made his debut in the 2018/19 campaign.

Since his most recent first-team outing, the Black Cats have seen a change in the dugout with Alex Neil replacing Lee Johnson as head coach, whilst Defoe also joined and left the Stadium of Light. It could be argued that the signing of the veteran striker held Neil back from including Kimpioka in his plans, with the 22-year-old last making the first-team squad on 22 January.

The Sweden under-21 international joined Sunderland’s under-18 setup in July 2016 from IK Sirius in his homeland, and in the past year he