SUNDERLAND had mapped out their plans to bring in a second striker to lighten the load on last season’s runaway top scorer Rosss Stewart early on from their League One promotion. Going from the events of Ashton Gate at the weekend, Ellis Simms looks set to be the man to ease that burden on Stewart and manager Alex Neil had hailed the importance of that decision.

Simms was handed his first start in the south west and grabbed two goals in the game in their win over Bristol City. He played alongside Ross Stewart for the game who netted the match winning header late on.

While Neil has tended to use just one striker during his time in charge of Sunderland, it now gives him an added dimension if he was considering changing up his team.

He said: “They are not two dissimilar types are they? They are both six foot plus and both very mobile, like to run in behind and score a goal. They are aggressive, can take the ball in for us.

“We have been speaking about it since last season. I was very conscious and aware of the load that Ross (Stewart) had to carry for us towards the end of last year. For the last 46 weeks, he basically carried the frontline, certainly in that central striker role, on his own. If anything happened to him, we would have found ourselves in real bother.

“It was so important that we got that box ticked off for us in pre-season or leading into the season. We’ve got somebody who can, not only challenge and potentially replace Ross if needs be, but equally play alongside him and try and create some sort of dangerous strike force. I thought on Saturday, I thought that is exactly what they did.”

While Simms is going to provide competition for Stewart going into the season, the Scotsman is still considered to be the main man in attack on Wearside.

After the Scotsman scored 26 goals last season for the Black Cats in League One, Stewart was expected to lead the line for this campaign with the club also looking to negotiate a new contract.  His existing deal runs out at the end of the current season.

Stewart made a telling contribution in Sunderland’s first win of the season but also played a part in their opening goals of the game. But Neil felt it was just as crucial to see him getting on the scoresheet at Ashton Gate.

“It was important for him as well. Ellis coming in and getting two goals, I think it was important for Ross to get off the mark” the Black Cats boss continued.

“The fact that he scored the winner and it was such a good goal was really important for him.

“I thought his performance on the day was excellent. He is the one that links it and sets it off for Alex (Pritchard) to set up Ellis’ second goal. He also nicks the first one for Ellis to get his first goal so he played such an important role.

“But what happens is if you don’t score a goal as a striker, people just look at the scoresheet and say ‘oh, he didn’t score’. But his game is much more than that so he played a part in all of the goals at the weekend which is vitally important.”

Sunderland return to action tomorrow evening when they make the trip to Hillsborough to face Sheffield Wednesday in the EFL Cup.