Tony Mowbray says Sunderland and England are working together to get the best out of Jobe Bellingham while avoiding the risk of burn-out. Bellingham was included alongside Sunderland's 16-year-old goalkeeper Matty Young in England U19 coach Simon Rusk's 24-man squad to play three friendlies against Romania, Japan, and Mexico in the Spanish town of Marbella last week, but withdrew from the party following discussions between the Black Cats and the national team.

The 18-year-old has had a heavy workload since he joined the Wearsiders in the summer, starting every one of Sunderland's 16 Championship games and also going away on international duty with the Young Lions in September and October. Mowbray had planned to leave Bellingham out of Sunderland's league game at Leicester City last month but an injury to Adil Aouchiche meant he had to change his plans and the youngster instead lined up against the Foxes.

In those circumstances, Sunderland and England agreed that Bellingham should take a breather rather than head away again with his country during the November international break. "Jobe has had a break in this international window," said Mowbray.

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"He didn't go away with the national team. I think he's pretty unique at the age level he plays in that he has played in every Championship game this season, rather than being a young player who has had three players off the subs' bench and got 20 minutes, ten minutes, and seven minutes.

"Jobe is playing every football match at Championship level and the games are coming thick and fast, so I think it was right that there was a discussion about the welfare of the player. We felt it best - and I think England felt it was acceptable - that he missed this one [international call-up], because they can see the minutes he has played and the level he is playing at."

Bellingham, who scored against his former club Birmingham City to help the Black Cats to a 3-1 win going into the international break, is expected to maintain his ever-present record this weekend when the Championship campaign resumes and Sunderland head to Devon to take on Plymouth Argyle at Home Park.