Sunderland full-back Dennis Cirkin has missed the Black Cats’ last two Championship outings with a broken wrist.
When Sunderland returned to Championship action away at Millwall last weekend, fans were perplexed to see no Dennis Cirkin in the team.
It was later confirmed that Cirkin had undergone surgery for a broken wrist sustained in Sunderland’s goalless draw against QPR at the start of November.
Cirkin has earned huge praise for his Sunderland performances in the Championship this season, coming back into the fold after injury limited him to just eight Championship appearances last time round.
There’s even transfer interest in the 22-year-old ahead of January, with Sunderland’s Championship rivals Leeds United reportedly interested in Cirkin.
Former Spurs youngster Cirkin sees his current contract at the Stadium of Light expire in 2026.
Injury update on Dennis Cirkin ahead of Sunderland trip to Sheffield United
Speaking to the press on Thursday, the very first question Le Bris was asked was whether or not Cirkin would be available for the trip to Sheffield United on Friday.
Le Bris said: “He is okay now and ready to train. But he missed two weeks and we have other solutions in the squad right now, we don’t have to rush the process.
“I trust Dennis, he is very important, but too risky to use him tomorrow.”
Sheffield United currently sit in 2nd place of the Championship table compared to Sunderland who’ve dropped down to 4th, following a 0-0 draw against West Brom on Tuesday night.
The Black Cats are now winless in five but also unbeaten in 10 in the Championship.
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Latest on possible new contract for Dennis Cirkin at Sunderland
Given Cirkin’s fine form and the emerging transfer interest, there’s growing cries from fans for the club to extend his contract beyond 2026.
And Sunderland have been tipped to secure a new contract for Cirkin. But there’s been no official news of that happening, at least not recently.
Speaking nearer the start of the season, Kristjaan Speakman told the press that new contracts for Cirkin and Dan Neil, who is also out of contract in 2026, is definitely something on his radar.
In a strange way, Cirkin not playing right now keeps him out of the spotlight, and potentially off the radar of the likes of Leeds in he build up to January.
But he remains an integral player and his absence remains a blow for Le Bris. It is however a chance for the likes of Aji Alese to step in and impress.