Sbragia backing for Healy

06 February 2009 13:18
Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia insists David Healy has a big part to play at the Stadium of Light.[LNB] Healy was given a rare start in the midweek FA Cup replay defeat to Blackburn and he took his chance by scoring at Ewood Park.[LNB]Sbragia rested first-choice strike duo Kenwyne Jones and Djibril Cisse at Blackburn to give Healy a chance and he has been impressed by the Northern Ireland hit-man.[LNB]"He has done really well," said Sbragia. "He is player who seems to be in the right place at the right time in the 18-yard box and he can put it away.[LNB]"He is clinical in that area and he seems to get himself two or three chances.[LNB]"We have been pleased with his overall work rate and his team play in general has been good."[LNB]TalksSbragia has admitted he has talked to the former Fulham star to reassure him over his future on Wearside.[LNB]"Yeah we spoke about seven or eight weeks ago," added Sbragia. "He was a bit down in the dumps and I told him of the importance we felt in the squad, we needed him.[LNB]"He was not there just to be a number, but he was there to push the other two.[LNB]"That showed in that we didn't let him go in the window. He has that little knack of scoring goals and we need that at present."[LNB]BackingSbragia also believes the burgeoning strike partnership between Jones and Cisse is a work in progress.[LNB]"I think it takes time, some people click instantly. They have taken a little longer, but the good thing about them both is they are scoring goals," added Sbragia.[LNB]"I would be more concerned if we didn't score or if they weren't scoring.[LNB]"A lot of people criticise that they don't work too well as unit but they seem to cause defenders problems individually as well.[LNB]"We just maybe need a little more off them off the ball, but I would not like to hinder the fact that it stops them scoring as I think they are here to score goals."[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports