'Important' player Chris Rigg 'very close' to Sunderland start, says Mike Dodds

Chris Rigg is likely to get a first Championship start for Sunderland within the next two games, according to head coach Mike Dodds.

Mike Dodds has reiterated that Chris Rigg will get more minutes for Sunderland in the next two games, with him ‘very, very close’ to a start.

Rigg again impressed coming off the bench as Sunderland slipped to another defeat, this time at Norwich.

His form and quality has seem a clamour from fans to see the 16-year-old start, especially with fellow teenager Jobe Bellingham looking incredibly jaded of late having played almost every game this season.

Sunderland boss admits fans won't like Jack Clarke replacement plan

Last week, Dodds hinted that Rigg may well start at Carrow Road but he again went with the midfield trio of Jobe, Dan Neil and Pierre Ekwah.

He insists, though, that Rigg’s time is coming, and coming very soon.

"We're going to have to utilise the squad, it's three games in a week," Dodds said.

"Riggy has trained really, really well and I think he's a huge asset for the football club. I've got nothing but positives to say about him. He's very, very close to the team.

“I'm really happy with Riggy, he's someone who wants to do well for the football club and those types of players are really important not just for me but for the football club."

Rigg has featured 11 times for the Sunderland first team this season but only one of them – the EFL Cup game against Crewe in August – was a start.

Sunderland have 'a really strong team' despite losing run, insists midfielder