SUNDERLAND manager Alex Neil admits that spectators would have reaped the benefits of longer resting time in between play-off semi final legs as they prepare to face Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow.

The Black Cats and the Owls have had just three days in between each leg with the play-off final set to be played in over two weeks time on Saturday May 21st.

As things stand, Sunderland take a 1-0 lead to Hillsborough tomorrow evening after Ross Stewart scored the only goal of the game at the Stadium of Light.

It has been the same amount of time between Wycombe Wanderers and MK Dons who face each other this evening in their second legs.

No excuses are coming from either side’s end but the Sunderland boss feels the schedule lets the supporters down.

“The schedule for me, they probably should have given both teams a little bit longer of a rest so you can see both teams are their best” said Neil.

“I think that would have been more beneficial because when you go into these matches, everybody wants to see everybody at full tilt don’t they?

“I think a quick turnaround, particularly the gap in distance between the semi-final and the final, is certainly a margin to get the games with a better gap in between but it is what it is.

“Equally Sheffield Wednesday’s preparations will have been tough as well because they’ll have had to travel back down after the game. But it’s the same for both teams.”

In terms of the players fitness, Sunderland have no fresh injury concerns from the first leg but are still approaching a side of caution with Nathan Broadhead.

The Black Cats will make another late call on his fitness for tomorrow’s game at Hillsborough having missed the first leg at the Stadium of Light.