One Sunderland star is now a fresh doubt for Friday night’s clash against Hull City after suffering a knock in training.
Sunderland have been hit with an injury crisis in recent weeks.
As a result, calls to strengthen in the transfer window have grown louder.
Michael Beale is under serious pressure to sign the right players and has a few positions he’d like to strengthen.
A striker is imperative given the lack of goals scored by the Black Cats forwards this term.
Kieffer Moore is on the top of their wish list with Beale needing a proven goalscorer at this level to help the youthful core of forwards.
Many feel not signing one could cost them in the pursuit of the play-offs, especially given Nazariy Rusyn is the only striker at the club to score this term.
While a new addition to lead the line is certainly important, there is one area that Beale must prioritise above the rest and that is a new left back.
With Niall Huggins and Dennis Cirkin sidelined for the remainder of the campaign with long-term groin and hamstring injuries respectively, signing a left-sided defender is a priority.
Aji Alese was the one who covered for that injured duo in the 3-0 loss to Newcastle United in the FA Cup and the 2-1 defeat against Ipswich Town on Saturday evening.
Now, Beale has revealed that he could be a doubt for Friday night’s clash against Hull City.
Aji Alese is a doubt for Hull City match
In his pre-match press conference, the Sunderland boss revealed that none of his injured players had returned but did explain how Alese had to drop out of the training session after suffering a knock.
Beale said: “No one is back. Aji had a slight issue today and had to come out of the session. I’ll need to assess that. Aji has obviously done well since coming back into the team so let’s hope that’s not an issue.”
Thankfully, Alese’s issue doesn’t sound too serious, however, it is still a concern that he could miss out against Hull.
The West Ham United academy graduate – who turned 23 today – has done well to fill in at left-back amid the ever-growing injury crisis.
Alese is naturally a ball-playing centre-back, so even if he is fine to play against the Tigers, Beale still needs to sign a left-sided defender.
If he isn’t, then the Sunderland boss may have to shift Trai Hume across to left-back and start Jenson Seelt at right-back.
This formula worked in the return fixture against Hull as the Black Cats secured a 1-0 victory on Boxing Day, and it may have to work to a similar effect on Friday.