The gaffer has admitted that Sunderland have defensive issues in terms of issues, and gave updates on SAFC's injury list...
ALESE/BATTH/GOOCH
“We do have some issues defensively and I don’t think it’s wise to elaborate too much. Aji Alese won’t make it, though – that’s one we definitely know. Danny Batth and Lynden Gooch will be touch-and-go."
CIRKIN
“Dennis Cirkin is one we’re still waiting on. With the Bank Holiday yesterday, Dennis is still awaiting results from a scan. I thought it was his knee initially, but it looks to be his hip and we wait to see whether it’s just bruising or a bit more.”
CAREFUL WITH BALLARD
"It's a little bit uncertain at the moment - and of course we have to be careful with Dan Ballard's game time after so long out. We of course have O'Nien, Bailey Wright, and Trai Hume did really well when he came on the other day."
NUGGINS
"Unfortunately Niall Huggins is injured, he's agitated a little problem in his ankle. It's not serious and it's not a long issue - but he won't be able to travel with us. That adds to our defensive issues, he did so well against Birmingham City before the break."
PRITCH
"Alex Pritchard will be travelling with us, he trained properly with us for the first time on Tuesday. He's a really important player for us, he's very good out of possession for an attack-minded player. He's an intelligent footballer and it's good for us that he's back training. He'll be impacting games for us soon, I'm pretty sure."
