Sunderland Under 23 head coach Elliott Dickman has told the Daily Star that Jack Rodwell is to try playing in central defence in order to save his career.

When the 26-year-old midfielder was coming through the Everton academy, he was seen as one of the best young players in the country and was tipped to be a key international for England. However his big money move to Manchester City did not work out and it appears that he regressed as a player during his time at the Etihad Stadium.

He has struggled to show that promise at Sunderland and now he can’t even break into their first team even though they are now in the Sky Bet Championship. However Rodwell is keen to make sure his time at the Stadium of Light lasts a bit longer and is looking to turn into a centre-back to give himself a better chance of getting back into the first team.

The U23s manager Dickman said: “He’s is quite keen to play in that position and see how it goes,”

“The two games he’s played in, I think he’s done well.”

“He’s an old head in there, knows all the situations and he’s helped the lads.

“He’s had a conversation with the manager and if that’s where he wants to play and the manager is comfortable with it, then I am as well.”

Rodwell will hope he is back in the Sunderland first team, whether it be central midfield or defence, for their next match against QPR.