Michael Beale has suggested that Niall Huggins could spend another lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Niall Huggins was stretchered off with a very unfortunate knee injury in the second half of Sunderland’s defeat to Coventry City today.
The full-back looked in real pain as he went down, with Jenson Seelt coming onto replace him shortly after.
Michael Beale has now crushed any hopes of Huggins making a quick comeback, claiming that it ‘didn’t look good’ for the Wales international.
Speaking to the media after the game, the Sunderland boss said: “We’ll have to wait for a scan on it but the early indications are that it’s not a good one.
“Our options are obviously a bit limited in the full back areas, we may have to bring one of those guys who hasn’t been back long into the team. With the amount of games we’ve got, everyone is going to have to bite down on the gumshield and we need to come out and show a different face at Hull. Good teams aren’t just good with the football.
“We know we can move Trai across, Aji and Pembele played 45 minutes in the U21 game the other night. Dennis has trained three days this week, we know that Jenson can move out there and obvious we have the option of moving to a back three as we did against Leeds.
“But we’re losing who I think has had an outstanding season, and a player who I was really looking forward to working with. I’m bitterly disappointing for him.”
Who will replace Niall Huggins?
Niall Huggins has had absolutely no luck with injuries since joining Sunderland, spending pretty much the best part of two years on the sidelines following his switch from Leeds United.
Fans will certainly wish him well and it is a real shame if he is out after a while, as he had really impressed since taking Dennis Cirkin‘s place – but thankfully, the timing isn’t too bad for us.
Cirkin is probably the most likely to slot back into that left-back position, but the looming return of Aji Alese is also extremely convenient.
The West Ham academy product was exceptional for us prior to his injury and it would be great to see him given another chance in the backline. It wouldn’t surprise me if Michael Beale does look to shake things up after that horrific defensive display this afternoon.