The 20-year-old centre-forward is on loan at Sunderland this season and has been assigned the role of main striker for the Black Cats due to an injury crisis.
Gelhardt has featured in ten games since his arrival, managing to net only one goal and is currently going through a five match goal drought.
The Black Cats boss believes that Sunderland are playing without a designated striker and stressed that the Leeds loanee is not a proper number nine.
Mowbray pointed out that Gelhardt’s strength is playing from wide or behind a striker and he believes that the Leeds starlet needs support from a partner while playing as a striker.
“I have sat here and moaned about the lack of a striker, but it is an opportunity for other players to show what they can do”, Mowbray said at a press conference.
“We are playing without the recognised number nine.
“Young Gelhardt is nine-and-a-half, I think, and in my mind he can either play wide or can play in behind.
“Yes, he can play down the line, but in general, he needs a partner with him.”
Sunderland will take on league leaders Burnley on Friday and Gelhardt will be determined to end his goal drought against Vincent Kompany’s men.
