ALESE OUT FOR SEASON

Sunderland have confirmed that Aji Alese will miss the remainder of the season with a thigh injury.

The defender picked up the injury during Saturday’s defeat to Stoke City in the Sky Bet Championship. He was seen holding his thigh after the whistle was blown for half time, and was replaced by Luke O'Nien after the break.

With Dennis Cirkin still recovering from a recent concussion, O'Nien seems the most likely candidate to replace Alese at left back.

Many fans have been shouting for O'Nien to return to midfield and give us a bit of physicality, but of course if he is at left back it could present an opportunity for someone like Pierre Ekwah to come into the engine room.