Alex Neil has given an encouraging update on Alex Pritchard following the midfielder's weekend injury. Pritchard limped out of Sunderland's goalless draw at Charlton Athletic after twisting his ankle and head coach Neil said in the immediate aftermath of the game that 'it did not look good' and he feared he could be without his influential playmaker for an extended spell.
The 28-year-old has had a scan to determine the extent of the injury and, while Sunderland are still waiting for the results, Neil has now said it appears the problem is not as bad as he initially thought, although he will not be fit to face Fleetwood at the Stadium of Light tomorrow night. "Immediately, Alex will not be available for the short term," said Neil.
"We will get more news on the scan this evening and I don't think it's as bad as first feared because the swelling isn't as bad as we expected, so hopefully that's a good sign." Luke O'Nien is edging closer to a return affter recovering from the shoulder operation he underwent in November.
