Elliot Embleton could be back playing again before the end of the season, according to Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray. Embleton was stretchered off in the second half of the Black Cats' 1-1 draw at Hull City after landing awkwardly - following a challenge that also earned him a red card, harshly in Mowbray's view - and breaking his ankle and suffering serious ligament damage.
Mowbray said that Embleton was due to undergo an operation on his ankle today, and will then begin his rehabilitation work. The club said earlier in the week that Embleton would be sidelined for a lengthy period which many interpreted as meaning he would not play again this season, but Mowbray is hopeful that the 23-year-old will be able to play a part later in the campaign.
"I think he was having his operation today to reposition the bone," he said. "How's he getting on? He's been in.
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"I think when footballers get a bad injury there's an emotion for them, they can't do what they want to do. You have to come to terms with it really quickly and get ready for your rehabilitation.
"The first obstacle for him was the operation to correct the breakage, then hopefully he can try and enjoy his Christmas, and his rehab will start pretty soon. It's not easy for him, but he's been bright enough.
"Footballers generally understand they have a journey in front of them to get fit. The hope is that we will see him [playing] again this season.
"Every player reacts differently to injuries, some are really good healers and some are not so we'll see how Elliot is."
Sunderland also lost defender Danny Batth to injury at Hull, with the centre-back limping off inside the opening quarter-hour with a calf injury. He has been an ever-present in the first half of the season but that run will now come to an end with Mowbray confirming he will not be involved in the Boxing Day game at home to Blackburn Rovers, and he is also highly unlikely to feature in the away games at Wigan next Thursday and Blackpool a week on Sunday.
Mowbray says the injury is not serious, however, and Batth should be fit again within a few weeks. "I think it'll be one-to-two weeks, maybe two-to-three weeks, for Danny," he said.
"He's not out there training but it's not a bad injury, it's not going to be months - it'll be a couple of weeks, I think. He might even be champing at the bit to come with us for the two away games in the North-West, but I don't think he is going to be ready for them although he might surprise me."
Sunderland were also without Alex Pritchard at Hull with the midfielder missing out with a calf problem. He will also miss the Blackburn match, but Mowbray says he could travel with the squad to the games against Wigan and Blackpool, with the team set to stay over in the North-West between those matches.
"He's actually running - he's running on his own out there," Mowbray said of Pritchard. "There's a fair chance he might come with us at the end of the week for the Thursday-Sunday games.
"He might come with us and be ready for them, but it's still a bit touch and go. I think he's looking to train on Tuesday, and if he comes through Tuesday then he'll probably get on the bus on Wednesday with us.
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