Sunderland defender Dan Ballard insists Leeds United loanee Joe Gelhardt has been 'brilliant' in the absence of main talisman Ross Stewart.
Stewart has been ruled out for the rest of the season with an Achilles injury and scored 10 goals in 13 appearances in the Championship this term.
Gelhardt joined Sunderland from Leeds on loan in January, and has been tasked with filling the void as the Black Cats' only out-and-out centre-forward.
The 20-year-old is yet to open his goal scoring account for Sunderland but set-up Jack Clarke's strike in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Bristol City at the Stadium of Light.
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Although Tony Mowbray has conceded that Gelhardt has been difficult to 'integrate' into the team, Ballard believes the forward offers more than simply posing a goal threat.
“I think Rosco is such a top player it’s always going to be a miss without him”, Ballard told the Sunderland Echo.
“But I think Joffy has done brilliant since he’s come in. He does hold the ball up really well, he battles and links the play nicely. He’s maybe not as tall as Rosco but he’s certainly strong and does a lot to link the play.”
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