Sunderland forward Chris Maguire must put his recent struggles into the past and respond against Gillingham on Saturday, after Black Cats boss Phil Parkinson opted to snub a potential recall for Aiden McGeady.

Parkinson has stated that he is yet to change his stance on McGeady’s future at the Stadium of Light, per the Sunderland Echo, having told the 34-year-old to train with the Under 23s and find a new club late last year.

McGeady has since returned to the North East after a loan spell with Charlton Athletic, raising the potential for Parkinson to go back on his word and utilise the former Republic of Ireland international after Sunderland’s unbeaten start to the season came to an end against Portsmouth before a draw at Rochdale.

A recall has yet to be offered as Parkinson has previously suggested McGeady’s exile came down to a desire to change the culture at the Stadium of Light, while protecting the pathway for young talents to breakthrough.

Parkinson intends to keep that path open for Elliot Embleton, having hinted as to why McGeady continues to be overlooked.

“Aiden at the moment has had to have an injection in his knee anyway,” Parkinson said, via quotes by the Sunderland Echo. “He had a spell of training with the U23s, but at the moment he's in the treatment room with a similar problem to Jordan.

“He’s [Embleton] another player who I'm looking forward to seeing emerge for us. Unfortunately, we've had to be patient with him but if he can get through today, we're expecting him in the run of games we have coming to get some minutes with the first-team.”

Parkinson suggesting he will continue overlooking McGeady and favour waiting for Embleton’s return should come as welcome relief for Maguire, who could have seen his place in the side come under threat otherwise.

Maguire has been struggling for form in Sunderland’s recent league fixtures following his return from the hamstring injury that prevented his involvement in the 0-0 draw at Charlton, with the £4,400-per-week forward offering just one shot on goal and no key balls in the defeat to Portsmouth before again failing to register a shot on target at Rochdale.

Parkinson even opted to haul Maguire off with 15 minutes still on the clock at the Crown Oil Arena, having lost three of his five ground duels, misplaced five of six attempted crosses, did not attempt any dribbles and lost possession 10 times, per SofaScore.

Gillingham on Saturday presents Maguire with a perfect opportunity to respond knowing that Parkinson is happy to omit McGeady in anticipation of Embleton’s return, but his slack run cannot continue for much longer.

Any further issues will surely begin to leave Parkinson considering the benefits of recalling McGeady, who former Celtic boss Neil Lennon lauded as being unplayable on his day during their time together at Parkhead.

“He’s a mercurial talent, and on his day is unstoppable,” Lennon said, via quotes by the Chronicle. “He has undoubted natural ability.”

AND in other news, Phil Parkinson has been urged to start a Sunderland star who “has a bit of everything”.