Another terrible injury is suffered by Sunderland….
The FA Cup will temporarily halt Sunderland’s Championship campaign, but the Black Cats will not be taking a break as they get ready for this weekend’s Wear-Tyne derby against Newcastle United. With goals from Alex Pritchard and Nazariy Rusyn, Michael Beale’s team defeated Preston North End 2-0 at the Stadium of Light to start 2024 on the right foot and move back into the play-off spots. However, the focus has already shifted to Saturday’s FA Cup third round match.
Niall Huggins sustained a season-ending knee injury over the hectic Christmas season, and Bradley Dack and Patrick Roberts also hobbled out of recent games for Sunderland. However, Beale was relieved to learn that Aji Alese, who had been out of action for seven months, had returned against Preston and played the full seventy minutes.
After overcoming an injury that had kept him out since joining in the summer, French full-back Timothee Pembele has already made two appearances off the bench. Before every match, Sunderland provides an injury update, and ChronicleLive has compiled the most recent details we currently know about the players who are in the Academy of Light’s treatment room.
With a calf injury, Roberts hobbled off during the first half of Sunderland’s draw with Rotherham on Friday. Beale stated on January 3 that the winner was a “huge question” going into this weekend’s Wear-Tyne derby, but he has not completely ruled him out.
During Sunderland’s Boxing Day victory over Hull, midfielder Dack sustained a hamstring injury. In a statement on January 3, Beale stated that, in the best-case situation, the former Blackburn Rovers player will be sidelined for at least four weeks.
Huggins suffered a major knee injury and was stretchered off the field in the last ten minutes of Sunderland’s 3-0 loss against Coventry City. The 23-year-old will have surgery and miss “at least” the rest of the 2023–24 season, the Black Cats have confirmed.
In Sunderland’s preseason match against North Carolina, midfielder Matete suffered a damage to his knee cartilage. He has since undergone surgery. After returning to training, Matete participated in his first competitive game of the season for the U21s at Eppleton against Arsenal just before Christmas. Matete is now fit and eligible for selection, according to Beale’s January 3 confirmation.
Important captain Evans, 33, will require a protracted layoff after rupturing his cruciate ligament during Sunderland’s home victory against Middlesbrough in January. Evans has accelerated his recuperation lately, and he has been practicing fundamental ball skills outdoors at the Academy of Light. However, it will take until the New Year for him to be prepared to return to full training.
