Sunderland have received a huge injury blow, with manager Phil Parkinson admitting things ‘do not look good’ for on-loan defender Bailey Wright, as revealed by the official club site.
Wright has been a strong figure in their recent upturn in form but limped off in the second half of their 1-0 win against Oxford with suspected ankle ligament damage.
Speaking about the injury after the game, the former Bolton boss was not hopeful of a quick recovery.
“It doesn’t look good, that’s all I can say,” he said. “Obviously it’s a bit early [to make an assessment] but it looks like quite a bad injury which is a blow, but Alim has come on and done well.”
“We made the change at Tranmere, but it was a tough call. Bailey has been excellent for us but if he is out for a period, Alim (Ozturk) comes in and there’s no problem with that at all. Alim has a great personality, he is a great lad and while he has been out of the team he has trained well and that’s really important.”
Consistency has been a key factor in their recent team selection, something Parkinson acknowledges.
“We have gone with the same team for quite a period of time now and sometimes it can be difficult to keep those other lads going but, as I keep saying, they have been outstanding and they have driven the other lads on.”
Alim Ozturk ios a more than capable replacement, but that hasn’t stopped some Black Cats’ fans expressing concern on social media.
Come back stronger Bailey – Top man ?????
— Oliver City Dog ? (@BCFCOLIVERDOG) February 17, 2020
Rest up big man.
— UK Forster (@forsterchris0) February 17, 2020
Ozturks absence has resulted in clean sheets?? Why? Cos he’s shiiiiiiiiite #stiffasfuck
— Ivor Longhorn (@pigeonjock) February 17, 2020
Wished you a speedy recovery @baileywright92 ?⚪️?⚪️
— Oluwaseun Bamgboye (@bamgboyeolu) February 17, 2020
Alim should fill in fine ????
— SAFCNP (@SAFCNP) February 17, 2020
Gutting for Bailey, he’s been an absolute great asset for the team
— Kylie Bater (@Kylie88Emma) February 17, 2020
Santiago Vergini used to make me more nervous than any previous Sunderland defender until Ozturk came along
— Alistair Renwick (@alistairrenwick) February 17, 2020
Just give @baileywright92 a contract anyways been class!
— Micky Harrison (@Micky_safc) February 17, 2020
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