Neil Warnock brands Sunderland star branded 'the best in the Championship'

Sunderland striker Ross Stewart is the best striker in the Championship, according to Huddersfield Town boss Neil Warnock.

Huddersfield are the visitors to the Stadium of Light this week with the Terriers in desperate need of points in their bid to avoid relegation.

Sunderland’s need is just as big, though, and they know a win will move them into the play-offs positions for a day at least.

However, according to Warnock, Sunderland would already have cemented their place in the top six had they not lost Ross Stewart to two injuries this season.

“They have played most of the season without the best striker in the league, which anybody would miss in Stewart,” said Warnock.

He also revealed he wanted to sign Stewart during his days at Middlesbrough, although he was never given the money to properly test Sunderland’s resolve.

“I have loved him for years and I remember going to watch (Charlie) Wyke up there and coming away saying that we needed to sign Stewart, but they never gave me the money up there at Middlesbrough.

“I’m sure if he was back, they’d already be in the play-offs. But they have been ever so well with a young team and whenever I have watched them, they have been quite exciting.”

Stewart scored 11 goals in 14 games before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury.

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