Sunderland defender Niall Huggins was stretchered off during the loss to Coventry City.
Niall Huggins faces another extended layoff after being stretchered off with what appeared to be a serious injury toward the conclusion of Sunderland’s 3-0 loss to Coventry City at the Stadium of Light. Huggins, the defender, collapsed to the ground in obvious discomfort in the closing ten minutes of the game.
Sunderland did not provide any information regarding the nature of the injury, but new head coach Michael Beale stated that the 23-year-old would be scanned and that early indications indicate that it was a serious injury. Huggins would find another lengthy absence difficult to bear after missing nearly all of his first two years as a Sunderland player due to various ailments, and it is only this season that he has returned completely healthy and starting to fulfill his potential.
“We’ll have to wait for a scan on it,” Beale added, “but the early indications are that it’s not a good one.” The game is harsh because Niall has had a terrific season and does not deserve what we may believe [it is], which is a long-term injury.”
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In the short term, Beale will have to make a selection for the Boxing Day match against Hull City at the MKM Stadium. Trai Hume is fit and available to play right or left back, while Jenson Seelt has played right back.
Dennis Cirkin, left-back, has only recently returned to training after being sidelined with hamstring injuries since the beginning of September. Timothee Pembele is still being eased back into action after a long-term knee injury, and the right-back made his debut for the club in Monday’s U21 game against Arsenal.
Aji Alese, who can play at left-back, also appeared in that game against the Gunners, making his first appearance since suffering a thigh injury in May. “Our options in the full back areas are obviously a bit limited,” Beale said. “We may have to bring one of those guys who hasn’t been back long into the team.”
“With the number of games we have, everyone is going to have to bite their gumshield, and we need to come out and show a different face at Hull.” Good teams are more than simply football players.
“We know Trai can be moved across, and Aji and Pembele played 45 minutes in the U21 game the other night.” Dennis has trained three days this week, we know Jenson can play out wide, and we obviously have the option of switching to a back three, like we did against Leeds.”
Sunderland were without crucial midfielder Alex Pritchard against Coventry, who was set to start before falling ill with a stomach virus. Striker Luis Hemir was also absent due to illness.
Beale expects Pritchard will be able to play against Hull soon. “I’ll have to get an update tonight,” he said.
“The problem is that when two players get sick and you have so many games close together, you can’t take the risk.” When the games are so close together, and you’re traveling and staying in hotels, you’re trying to minimize the chance of it spreading inside the group.”
