Former Sunderland midfielder Jack Rodwell could make his first senior appearance for Blackburn Rovers this week in the League Cup, 369 days after his final game for the Black Cats.

He played for them against Everton on September 20th last year, but only featured for the Under 21 side in the EFL Trophy after that. He left Sunderland in the summer after an appalling spell which had seen him earn a huge wage without ever impressing.

The one-time England prospect is looking to rebuild his career at Ewood Park and Tony Mowbray has hinted that he might be in line for their trip to the Premier League side this week.

“He is coming with us," Mowbray told the Lancashire Telegraph when asked of Rodwell's possible involvement. "Let’s wait and see to whether we think he will start or be on the bench."

"We have given him five or six weeks to settle in at the club rather than throwing him in at the deep end and he’s played 90 minutes for the Under-23s so he has to get started at some stage."

Rodwell once swapped Everton for Manchester City in a £12m move, before moving on to Sunderland for a £10m fee. He made just 76 appearances for the Black Cats in four seasons as they fell from the top flight to League One.

The Verdict

Rodwell must still be a decent player, you don't total moves worth £20m if you're not talented and at 27, he still has time to impress.

It's going to be a long road back though, he's spent the best days of his career rotting away at Sunderland, drawing a wage for little to no impact. He's drinking in last chance saloon, that is for sure.