Sunderland defender suffers fresh injury blow ahead of Under-21s outing

Sunderland defender Niall Huggins appears to have suffered yet another injury blow after he was forced out of the under-21s game against Nottingham Forest.

The full-back has made just a handful of appearances for the Black Cats since joining from Leeds United almost two years ago.

He has been attempting to build up his fitness with regular under-21s football for the remainder of the season before taking a full part in preseason training.

However, he pulled up with a hamstring injury in the warm-up at Eppleton, and may now face another spell on the sidelines.

On a more positive note, though, Dennis Cirkin played in the game as he continues to work his way back to a full return after concussion.

Full list of Niall Huggins appearances for Sunderland

August 24, 2021: Blackpool 2-3 Sunderland (EFL Cup)

Huggins made his debut for Sunderland in the League Cup thriller at Blackpool.

Aiden O'Brien scored a hat-trick against the Championship side, including a last-minute winner. Huggins played the full 90 minutes at right-back.

September 21, 2021: Wigan 0-2 Sunderland (EFL Cup)

Huggins got another run-out in the League Cup and played his part in another eye-catching win.

He played 79 minutes, again at right-back, and it was becoming increasingly clear that Sunderland had a player on their hands.

September 25, 2021: Sunderland 1-0 Bolton (League One)

Huggins' first league appearance for Sunderland came in a home win over Bolton.

It was a largely unremarkable affair with Huggins replacing Dennis Cirkin in the 66th minutes.

September 28, 2021: Sunderland 5-0 Cheltenham (League One

Huggins best performance for Sunderland probably came just before his injuries started to get the best of him.

He had to wait until the end of September for his first league start for the club, but when it came he was outstanding as the Black Cats trounced Cheltenham.

November 11, 2022: Birmingham 1-2 Sunderland (Championship)

Huggins came in from the cold in November to cover a serious injury crisis in the Sunderland defence. It was the last game before the World Cup break and to say the former Leeds man was a surprise name on the teamsheet is an understatement, but he lasted the full 90 minutes.

He put in an outstanding performance in a fine away win, though, and at that point there felt cause for optimism that Huggins was emerging from his injury nightmare.

January 28, 2022: Fulham 1-1 Sunderland (FA Cup)

At the time of writing, the last time Huggins played for Sunderland was in the FA Cup tie at Fulham.

Doubts existed about the fitness of Aji Alese, who himself was only just back from injury. Tony Mowbray therefore hatched a plan beforehand to use both Alese and Huggins for 45 minutes each.