Leon Dajaku missed Sunderland's Carabao Cup defeat at Sheffield Wednesday after picking up an injury in his fleeting weekend substitute appearance, Alex Neil has revealed. The German winger missed the opening game of the season as he recovered from the illness that had ruled him out of the final pre-season friendlies.
But he was on the bench for the Black Cats' win at Bristol City on Saturday, and replaced two-goal hero Ellis Simms in the final minute to help Sunderland see out added time at Ashton Gate. Dajaku was missing from the squad at Sheffield Wednesday last night, however, and Neil explained that the 21-year-old had suffered a thigh problem at the weekend.
Had he been fit, he would have likely either started up front or as a wingback against the Owls. "Unfortunately, Leon wasn't with us due to injury," said Neil.
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"I brought him on at Bristol and he tweaked his thigh. He would have been one I could have maybe put up top, or at wingback because he has played there before.
"It's a minor one [injury], so it's frustrating. He came on at the weekend for Ellis [Simms] because at the moment we have only got two centre-forwards, but Leon has played there for us in pre-season against Roma so he understands the role and knows how to do the job."
Sunderland are next in action on Saturday when QPR visit the Stadium of Light in the Championship, but it is unclear as yet whether Dajaku will be fit to be involved.
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