Dennis Cirkin is expected to be fit when Sunderland resume their Championship campaign after the World Cup despite becoming the latest victim of the Black Cats' injury curse. Ahead of last night's game at Birmingham City, boss Tony Mowbray said he had fresh injury problems but refused to go into detail.
But left-back Cirkin was absent from the teamsheet at St Andrew's, and afterwards Mowbray revealed that the former Spurs defender had missed out with a calf injury. With Daniel Ballard, Aji Alese and Lynden Gooch also sidelined, and Luke O'Nien missing against Birmingham through suspension, Mowbray pointed out that he had an entire back five unavailable against the Blues.
Add into the mix leading scorer Ross Stewart and midfielder Edouard Michut, and it is clear that Sunderland have been badly hit by injuries in recent weeks and months. However, after this weekend's round of fixtures the Championship will pause for the World Cup and by the time Sunderland are next in action at home to Millwall on December 3, Mowbray expects to have Gooch, Alese, and Stewart back in contention, while O'Nien will be available again having served his one-match ban.
