Elliot Embleton is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after Sunderland confirmed he broke his ankle and suffered significant ligament damage in the weekend draw at Hull City. Embleton was stretchered off just before the hour mark at the MKM Stadium after landing awkwardly following a challenge with Hull midfielder Ryan Woods - an incident that also saw the Sunderland man shown a straight red card for a high boot.
Boss Tony Mowbray said after the game that the injury looked serious and the 23-year-old had gone to hospital by ambulance, but was not prepared to go into detail about the nature of the damage. But in an update this evening, the club has confirmed that Embleton will undergo surgery this week and will be out of action for some time.
The club said: 'Sunderland AFC can confirm that Elliot Embleton will undergo surgery this week on an ankle injury picked up during Saturday's draw at Hull City. The midfielder has suffered an ankle fracture and significant ligament damage, and will face an extended spell on the sidelines.
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'We're with you every step of the way, Embo!'
Academy graduate Embleton has been involved in every one of Sunderland's Championship games this season, making 13 starts and ten outings as a substitute, and has scored two goals.
Despite being reduced to ten men at Hull, Sunderland went on to earn a 1-1 draw with substitute Ross Stewart coming off the bench to score on his comeback from injury, before Hull sub Ozan Tufan levelled inside the final ten minutes.
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