Neil must unleash "excelling" Sunderland game-changer, he's "too good for League One" - opinion

Sunderland will be looking to extend their five-game unbeaten run in League One as they travel to face Lincoln City on Saturday.

The Black Cats have won three of their last four games and have the chance to head into the international break on a high with another three points this weekend.

They beat Crewe Alexandra 2-0 at the Stadium of Light last time out as Dan Neil and Patrick Roberts both came off the bench to score, which could see them force their way into the team against the Imps.

One player who Alex Neil must unleash from the start alongside the pair is wide forward Nathan Broadhead. The club have reportedly been monitoring his fitness this week in the build-up to the game, and Neil must select him in the starting XI if he is available to play.

The Athletic journalist Patrick Boyland previously lauded the young attacker’s form at the Stadium of Light, tweeting: “Nathan Broadhead excelling at Sunderland. Regular competitive games making world of difference but too good for League One really.”

The reporter added: A lot to like. Mobile, finishes well, can play across the front line.”

The 23-year-old has the quality to be a game-changer for the Black Cats, as he has shown that he can find the net at an impressive rate. Boyland believes that the forward is too good for the third tier and his goalscoring record from out wide backs that up, with five goals in nine starts and 0.8 key passes per game.

Broadhead has scored six goals in his last seven matches for Sunderland in all competitions, which proves that he can change games by finding the back of the net. He could also come in at the perfect time after a disappointing performance from one of his team-mates last weekend.

Lynden Gooch started out wide on the right