Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris has confirmed that key star has suffered another muscle injury, delivering a fresh setback to the Black Cats as they prepare for a demanding run of fixtures.
The midfielder was a notable absentee from Sunderland’s matchday squad during Saturday’s disappointing 3-1 Premier League defeat against Coventry City.
The result further increased the pressure on Le Bris’ side, leaving them at the bottom of the Premier League standings.
He had only recently returned from a hamstring problem and was gradually being reintegrated into the team. Sunderland had previously substituted him at half-time during their Carabao Cup victory over Brentford as a precaution to manage his workload.
However, the Senegalese midfielder has now suffered another muscular problem during a training session, raising fresh concerns about his fitness and availability.
Speaking after the defeat to Coventry, Le Bris admitted that the club were still waiting to establish the full extent of the injury.
The Sunderland boss described the development as disappointing, particularly given the midfielder’s recent return to action.
Although no definitive recovery timeline has been provided, Diarra is now a major doubt for Sunderland’s upcoming Europa League encounter against Dinamo Zagreb and their Premier League meeting with Chelsea.
Both matches come before the next two-week international break, meaning the Black Cats could potentially lose an important midfield option during a crucial period of their campaign.
Nordi Mukiele Also Sidelined After Concussion
Diarra is not the only Sunderland player dealing with an injury concern, as Le Bris also provided an update on Nordi Mukiele following his absence against Coventry.
The French defender suffered a concussion during Sunderland’s goalless draw against Leeds United and is currently following the required concussion recovery protocol.
Le Bris confirmed that Mukiele will miss Thursday’s Europa League fixture against Dinamo Zagreb but is expected to return to contention for next weekend’s Premier League clash against Chelsea.
The manager made it clear that the defender’s recovery will be monitored carefully before he is cleared to return to competitive action.
Mukiele’s absence represents another defensive concern for Sunderland, although the expected return against Chelsea would provide Le Bris with a potential boost.
Omar Alderete Set to Miss Chelsea Clash
Sunderland will also be without Omar Alderete when Chelsea visits the Stadium of Light next weekend.
The defender is suspended for one match after receiving his second yellow card during the defeat against Coventry City.
His suspension means he will be unavailable for the Premier League encounter, although he remains eligible to feature against Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League if selected.
With Diarra facing a fresh injury setback, Mukiele recovering from concussion and Alderete suspended, Le Bris has several selection decisions to consider ahead of Sunderland’s important upcoming fixtures.
The Black Cats desperately need positive results to improve their position at the bottom of the Premier League table, making the latest availability concerns particularly frustrating for the Sunderland manager.
Their ability to cope with these absences could prove decisive as they attempt to regain momentum before the international break.
