'Will get his chance' - Michael Beale backs dropped Sunderland defender

Michael Beale has explained why Jenson Seelt was dropped against Middlesbrough - and admitted it was harsh on him.

Michael Beale has admitted that Jenson Seelt was unlucky to be dropped for the game against Middlesbrough, but he says it was necessary to restore balance to his side.

Seelt played well at right-back in the win against Stoke City but he found himself dropped for new signing Leo Hjelde at the Riverside.

Injuries to natural left-backs Dennis Cirkin and Aji Alese prompted Beale to move Trai Hume to the left and use Seelt, a natural centre-back on the right.

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Beale, though, says dropping Seelt is a reflection on how important he believes natural balance in the team to be, rather than his view on Dutchman, who he says he has been ‘delighted’ with.

Asked whether he felt losing his place for the trip to Middlesbrough was harsh on Seelt, Beale said: “I think balance is really important to any team.

“Certainly, the challenge of when a team sits in, well then balance is really important so you can go round, hit crosses.

“I thought he helped us and he played very well for a number of games, but it's fair to say Trey is a better right back, only by 10%, than left back, in my opinion.”

Seelt is yet to nail down a regular starting role for Sunderland since his summer move from PSV, although that is down to the form of centre-backs Luke O’Nien and Dan Ballard.

However, with both of those players very close to a tenth booking of the season, it is inevitable that Seelt will get another chance in his natural position soon enough.

“There's going to be a couple of suspensions in the post, I think, with centre backs, and it's important that Jenson will get an opportunity in there and show us what he can do,” Beale said.

“I've been delighted with him, to be honest. I was delighted with Leo [Hjelde] last week. So that's a good place for us to be in."

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