Sunderland's Aji Alese has suffered an injury setback and has undergone surgery.
The 22-year-old was restricted to just 17 league starts last term with a thigh issue seeing him spend two months on the sidelines in the latter part of the campaign.
The centre-half, who arrived from West Ham last summer, did return to the fold for the second leg of the Championship play-off semi-final against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road. But he now appears to have suffered another setback.
Read more: Amad's spell could give Sunderland an edge in summer window
Alese wrote on social media: "Definitely not how I hoped to be spending this Saturday afternoon in particular but unfortunately the injury that kept me out the final part of last season reoccurred. Hopefully this will help me get to the bottom of it once and for all. I promise I’ll be back fitter and stronger."
He accompanied the post with a picture of him in a hospital bed.
Alese will be hoping to be part of the pre-season schedule later this summer as the Black Cats prepare to build on what was an impressive return to the second tier last year.
READ NEXT
- Ex-chairman Stewart Donald exits Sunderland after selling his remaining stake
- Kristjaan Speakman praises Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray without addressing rumours over his position
- Sunderland must aim to ditch underdog tag and become promotion favourites warns Tony Mowbray
- Sunderland's attacking style given seal of approval by Aston Villa boss Unai Emery
- Sunderland skipper signs up to take UEFA coaching badge over the summer
