Jack Ross has revealed that midfielder Elliot Embleton could be out for up to two months after suffering an injury setback for the Black Cats, as reported by the Shields Gazette.
The 20-year-old signed a new deal in the summer and has featured sparingly for Sunderland since then.
He was forced off during their EFL Cup win against Sheffield United last week with a hamstring injury, the same problem he had during the tail end of his Grimsby career.
Ross confirmed it isn’t quite as bad as the one he suffered back then, but that it’s still likely to keep him out until December.
“It’s not as bad as the one he suffered at the end of last season,” Ross said. “But because it’s the same hamstring, we’re just getting another opinion on it at the moment. There’s nothing definitive yet.”
“It still won’t be a 2-3 week one, it’ll be longer. It might be six to eight weeks, that’s the initial prognosis at the moment.
“That could change, we’ll get a second opinion.”
Embleton earned a two-year deal after impressing at Blundell Park last season. He returned to Sunderland keen to force his way into the first team but, after a handful of starts, has already fallen down the pecking order for Ross.
That’s not to say he hasn’t impressed the former St Mirren boss.
“Elliot backs himself to play, he wants to play all the time and I think we’ve integrated him into the squad,” he added.
“He’s made appearances off the bench, he’s started games, he’s been good.”
Our View
The player will be devastated with this setback. He came back from his loan spell eager to impress and virtually demanded a first team place before he penned a new deal.
He’s an agile midfielder, keen to create and confident enough to trust his own abilities.
Now he out, it gives those around him a chance to cement their places, leaving him on the sidelines. It’s a massive blow for him, but one the club can likely cover with ease.
