Michael Beale explains thinking behind decision to bench Jobe Bellingham

Jobe Bellingham was given a rare rest for Sunderland against Plymouth - but it's all according to a plan.

Michael Beale has explained the decision to leave Jobe Bellingham on the Sunderland bench was motivated by a need to rotate his midfield this week.

Sunderland have a busy week, which started with Plymouth at home and now moves onto away trips to Huddersfield (on Wednesday) and Birmingham City.

Those upcoming fixtures will come with a lot of travelling, and Beale is keen to manage the fitness and freshness of his team as much as possible.

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That meant Jobe got a rest against Plymouth, before coming on for Ekwah and scoring – but even that substitution was a pre-planned move with the upcoming games in mind.

Asked what the thinking was behind leaving Jobe on the bench, Beale said: "We spoke about this week, [we have] three really big games [this week].

"We've got a lot of travelling to do, down to Huddersfield and back, then down to Birmingham.

“Pierre [coming off was] was pre-planned. You can't plan it 100 per cent, but it was pre-planned that the midfield would rotate a little bit this week.”

Beale also combined the plan to rotate the midfield with a desire to tweak the shape of the Sunderland team at home.

More men were committed forward, with Patrick Roberts returning on the right and Abdoullah Ba being moved centrally behind Nazariy Rusyn.

"We'd play with one more up the pitch, certainly at home,” Beale said. “Abdoullah deserved to stay in the team and I think Paddy has shown what we've missed in moments. That dribbling ability.

“There are so many positives at the moment. Young Rigg coming on as well."

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