Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is anxiously awaiting news of George McCartney's hamstring injury amid speculation the defender could be sidelined for up to six weeks.
McCartney damaged the hamstring in training on Friday ahead of Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifier in Poland, and missed that game.
He remains a major doubt for Wednesday's clash with Slovakia, and there are fears on Wearside that a man who has a history of similar problems could be out of action for several weeks.
That would represent a serious blow to Bruce as well as the 28-year-old, who is the club's only recognised senior left-back.
Danny Collins, a centre-half who played much of his football for the Black Cats at left-back, was allowed to join Barclays Premier League rivals Stoke as the transfer window drew to a close last week, and the club's efforts to lure Wigan's Maynor Figueroa to the north-east came to nothing.
Youngster Michael Liddle is injured as well as inexperienced, and Bruce may have to be creative as he looks for a replacement.
Right-back Phil Bardsley has played on the left before, as has central defender John Mensah, a loan signing from Lyon, although that might be a big ask for the new arrival.
Alternatively, Bruce has competition for places on the left of midfield with Kieran Richardson and Andy Reid, although both men are better known for what they do going in the other direction.
Comment 1 - 11 of 11
I had a feeling letting Collins go would come back and bit us in the @rse. Nothing we can do now, I believe Mensah can play left back so I reckon the back 4 against Hull will be Bardsley, Ferdinand, Turner and Mensah, I can't see Bruce dropping Ferdinand for Da Silva as 3 changes at the back may disrupt things too much. The other alternative would be to play Kieron Richardson as a left wing back and Andy 'I ve stopped eating the pies' Reid on left wing which should add a little more creativity to our midfield.
george isn't good enough anyhow play mensah left back and turner and da silva in the middle
PWilson, do you remember a debate we had a while ago, "Bruce you fool! " (sean) "BIG mistake by Bruce!" (safcalsmb) "Like I said I hoped D Collins going to Stoke wouldnt come back to haunt us-------------" (MALCOLM D)
George your becoming a bit of a sicknote marra!!!,
Anyway now that its happend, pull KR back to left back and play AR in left midfield, end of story,what's the fuss.
"The pride of county Durham"since 1879
SAFC
Put. P Bardsley over on the left and put Nyron Nolsworthy on the right and play Mensah and Turner down the middle. Like I said I hoped D Collins going to Stoke wouldnt come back to haunt us-------------
Bruce you fool! why sell collins! who we gonna play in left back! bardsley! da silva?
#5: The problem the manager faces is an entirely different one than any of us could ever imagine. Do you keep a player at the club, knowing his chances of first team football are limited through quality new players coming in? Or do you give them a chance of first team football elsewhere?
Tha answer from SB is that a good paleyer deserves better than to be kept for occasional cover. As fans we have to respect his decision, be thankful to the players who've moved on for all they did for SAFC and wish them well with their new clubs.
Just returned from holiday and heard that Danny Collins had been sold (WHY?) - kind of spoilt the good feeling from the decent start to the season. Now McCartney is injured, not to woory, we'll play Danny Collins, oh wait, we can't, he's been sold. BIG mistake by Bruce! Not too happy about Teemu Tainio going out on loan either, although at least he can be called back if needs be. Fair enough letting Grant Leadbitter and Carlos Edwards to leave for Ipswich (they both decent Championship players but not quite up to the Premiership) but why let Collins leave? Was is to finance the Turner signing, I wonder? (I believe that the money for Collins, Leadbitter and Edwards adds up to Turner's fee.) A good signing for definite but if Collins had to go to pay for the deal it takes some of the gloss off.
The fire..................!?
FTM
T
Throw Nyron on
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