Sunderland manager Jack Ross is sweating over the fitness of top scorer Josh Maja ahead of his side’s Boxing Day clash with Bradford City at The Stadium of Light according to the Chronicle Live.
The 19-year-old Lewisham-born frontman has been one of The Black Cats’ top performers this season with the youngster netting 13 goals in just 25 appearances.
Following their 3-1 defeat at league leaders Portsmouth on Saturday, Sunderland will be keen to get back to winning ways against struggling Bradford City but it has been reported that striker Maja is continuing to battle flu-like symptoms and may not recover in time to feature on Boxing Day.
The youngster was the hero as Sunderland won their last match at The Stadium of Light against Bristol Rovers earlier this month. The Black Cats trailed The Pirates before turning the game on its head with Maja scoring the decisive goal in a 2-1 win. The player was an unused substitute against Portsmouth on Saturday after beginning to feel ill.
Maja was picked up by Sunderland from Fulham as a scholar and the player has successfully made the jump to the first team on Wearside. A number of higher division clubs have been linked with January moves for the player, although The Black Cats will be keen to hold onto Maja at least until the end of the season.
