Sunderland boss reveals heartbreaking full extent of Niall Huggins injury

Sunderland may not see Niall Huggins again for more than a year, head coach Michael Beale has revealed.

Huggins was having a brilliant season for the Black Cats but he suffered a serious knee injury in the 3-0 home defeat to Coventry, which was Beale’s first game in charge.

It is an especially bitter pill to swallow given he was finally enjoying a breakthrough after two years decimated by injury, and it sounds like the latest might be the worst of the lot.

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"Niall has had surgery this week and we won't see him for the best part of a year - maybe a little bit more,” Beale said. “[It’s] really disappointing because he was having a great year."

Huggins is not the only injury problem Sunderland have to contend with right now, with three other players facing spells on the sidelines after recent setbacks.

Dennis Cirkin has undergone surgery on the hamstring problem that has plagued him all season, and he won’t return until the final weeks of the season at the earliest.

Meanwhile, experienced attacking duo Bradley Dack and Patrick Roberts both picked up muscle problems over the hectic festive schedule and will miss a number of weeks too.

"Dennis has had an operation and will miss 12 weeks,” Beale explained.

"I've only worked with Dennis on one or two days, so it's hugely disappointing to lose him.

"Paddy will be out for the remainder of this month but we hope to have him back at some point in February. He'll be back before Bradley Dack.”

The injuries, especially to the fullbacks, could lead to Sunderland looking to strengthen the position in January.

However, their main priority this month remains trying to sign a striker.

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