Ricky Sbragia says Grant Leadbitter is not taken for granted

May 15 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

RICKY Sbragia has hailed the impact of homegrown hero Grant Leadbitter in Sunderland’s relegation fight – after revealing the club turned down a bid for the midfielder in the transfer window.

Wigan tried to sign the England Under-21 international in January and while Sbragia hinted that Leadbitter might have fancied the change of scenery, the Sunderland boss was determined to integrate him into his first-team plans.

That faith has been repaid over the course of this campaign and during the recent points drought, the 23-year-old has been one of the Black Cats’ few consistently good performers.

Although his goal-scoring contribution – like most of Sunderland’s midfield – has been minimal this season, he has proved a versatile and hard-working performer, improving on his performances of last season.

Sbragia has dropped him only once in recent weeks – for the ill-fated West Brom defeat – and admits that he made the wrong call that day.

“He has always been a good player,” Sbragia said. “We had

an offer in the window for him from a Premier League club, we refused it.

“The money was not what we wanted even if we thought about selling, which we weren’t.

“Sometimes players are maybe at a club too long, he’s been here since he was nine, it’s a long time, and he might want a change – but I still want him to stay.

“He is a Sunderland diehard, and I know what we get from him. He is good on the ball, always works hard, good ability. I wanted him to stay here, I knew what I had.

“He is a good Premier League player, from now on I think he will kick on.”

Sbragia was in much more bullish mood following the creditable draw and much improved performance at Bolton last weekend, and dropped a few telling hints that he may now be in the job past the summer.