Sunderland have suffered another injury concern during the international break after a key midfielder picked up a knock while representing DR Congo.
He featured in his second match of the international window on Monday, playing 75 minutes in DR Congo’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Zimbabwe before being substituted.
The 21-year-old appeared to be struggling with a minor issue as he left the pitch, with the Sunderland midfielder later seen limping following his side’s 2-1 victory.
However, early indications suggest that the problem is not considered serious. Sunderland reporter James Copley has indicated that Sadiki’s injury is not believed to be significant, although supporters will be hoping for confirmation that the midfielder will be available when domestic football resumes.
Sunderland’s injury problems continue
Sadiki’s setback represents another fitness concern for Sunderland during what has been a difficult international period.
Brian Brobbey was the first major casualty after the striker suffered a hamstring problem while on international duty with the Netherlands. The forward had been enjoying an impressive start to life in the Premier League and produced one of the standout individual displays of Sunderland’s season with a hat-trick against Manchester City at the Etihad.
Brobbey’s form has reportedly attracted interest from Manchester United, with the Red Devils said to be considering a move for the striker ahead of the January transfer window as they look to strengthen their attacking options.
Sunderland also lost defender Dan Ballard during Northern Ireland duty. The center-back suffered a hamstring injury late in his country’s 1-0 Nations League victory away to Georgia, forcing him to miss the remainder of the international fixtures.
Sadiki now becomes the third Sunderland player to raise fitness concerns during the September/October international window.
A major concern for Sunderland
The timing of the injuries will be particularly frustrating for Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris, with all three players having started the club’s most recent Premier League match against Manchester City.
Brobbey scored three times during that contest, but his goals were not enough to prevent Sunderland from suffering a 5-3 defeat at the Etihad.
The Black Cats are now facing the possibility of entering their next league fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion on October 10 without important players in three different areas of the team.
Brobbey provides a major threat in attack, Sadiki has become an important midfield presence, while Ballard offers experience and strength at the heart of the defence.
If all three are ruled out, Le Bris would have to find solutions across the spine of his team.
For now, Sunderland will be hoping Sadiki’s knock proves to be nothing more than a minor issue and that both Brobbey and Ballard make sufficient progress during the international break.
After a demanding period of international football, the club will be desperate to welcome their players back to the Stadium of Light as quickly and as healthy as possible.
