please log in to view this image Menu TEAM NEWS:Catts out, with trio doubtful LATEST NEWS MENU Facebook Twitter Lee Cattermole is set to miss Sunderland’s upcoming games against Walsall and Barnsley, as well as the Lads’ Emirates FA Cup clash at the Bescot Stadium. The midfielder has been nursing a foot problem in recent weeks and hasn’t featured since the Black Cats’ 3-0 win over Southend United at the Stadium of Light. Jack Ross admits the 30-year-old’s absence is a blow, but the Sunderland manager isn’t concerned about the severity of the injury. Speaking at his pre-match press conference, the boss provided the latest team news, with Dylan McGeouch, Chris Maguire and Jerome Sinclair set to be assessed. “Lee remains out and the earliest he will come back is post-Walsall in the FA Cup,” said Ross. “He picked up an injury against Shrewsbury and played against Doncaster and Southend, and maybe in hindsight it made things a little bit worse.” He continued: “It’s frustrating for both of us because he’s having a good season. “It’s just a foot problem – I don’t want to say straightforward because it’s not – and it’s one of those that can be a little more troublesome to settle, but it’s nothing complicated. “We’ve also had a couple of niggles this week with Dylan McGeouch, Chris Maguire and Jerome Sinclair, so we’ll have to see how they are today and tomorrow. “We still have some longer-term ones like Ethan Robson and Charlie Wyke, and Duncan Watmore will play in an under-23 game at the start of next week.”
Im gutted Ethan Robsons had his injury problems this season, he could have been a big player for us. Its a good job were well stacked in Midfield. Nows the chance for Mumba and ONiel to step up to the mark.
Yeah shame about Robson this season was/is a good chance for the youth and fringe players to prove themselves and he's missing out. I don't think we've missed Catts much, we're still scoring and not conceding many but he has been our best CM so far so obviously it'll be good to have him back.
Tough on Robson, he is just the type we need in midfield imo., but Max is back and looking good, we also have Reece James who can play in there and bring Oviedo back in, I would also like to see Mumba given some time on the field, and further forward we have O'nein chomping at the bit so we are well covered for the time being. Even so a strong bench giving the manager options is a must going into the pre Xmas period so the message is get well soon boys and give us all a Happy New Year.
It's always been Catts Achilles heel (see what I did there) in not being able to stay fit for more than a couple of months in recent seasons, shame really although we've still had good results in his absence I still feel he gives our midfield that physical presence that we sometimes lack in this league.
