Tony Mowbray's Sunderland return to action in the Championship today as they face Swansea at the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats were held to a 1-1 draw by Blackpool last time out in the division but come into this match off the back of a 2-1 win over Shrewsbury in the third round of the FA Cup.

They found themselves 1-0 down to the League One outfit in the 81st minute of the match but two goals in stoppage time ensured that their name was in the pot for the fourth round.

Sunderland started the game with a fluid front three of Patrick Roberts, Jewison Bennette, and Amad Diallo - three wingers by trade - as Ross Stewart was rested on the bench.

However, the Scotland international was brought on in the second half and his 92nd-minute equaliser kept the game alive and allowed Luke O'Nien to win it two minutes later.

Mowbray must now unleash the centre-forward from the start as he is the club's only natural number nine following Ellis Simms' return to Everton at the start of the month.

Stewart is a crucial player for the Black Cats as he is their main goal threat and the one most likely to go and win a match for them.

In the 2021/22 campaign, the £2.7k-per-week forward plundered a whopping 26 goals in 49 League One outings for Sunderland as they won promotion to the Championship, whilst no other player managed more than 10.

His form in the third tier led to teammate Alex Pritchard lauding his talent, with the midfielder saying:

"[Stewart] is unbelievable. The size of him, on the ball, he can run, he can hold the ball up, he's good with his feet. He's got everything. He’s great in the air. Holds the ball up and he gets in behind and you see in the semi-finals – the goal he got in behind and he’s so quick. And he’s been a revelation this year for us.”

The 26-year-old has followed that up by scoring 10 goals and providing three assists in 12 matches in all competitions this term, including nine strikes in 11 Championship outings - three more than any current Sunderland player has scored.

These statistics show that he is Mowbray's best attacking option as he is their biggest goal threat, as he has proven at both League One and Championship level.

Therefore, Stewart can be the match-winner against the Swans by being the focal point at the top end of the pitch and potentially scoring the all-important goal to seal all three points if he is given the right service.