Sunderland face a transfer decision following two injury setbacks.

MICHAEL Beale admits that Sunderland’s two major injury setbacks to Niall Huggins and Dennis Cirkin may force the club to reconsider its transfer strategy this month, but he also believes he has the options in his squad to be flexible with his defence.

Cirkin had hamstring surgery this week and will be out of action for at least three months, while Huggins, who also had surgery, will be out for at least a year due to a serious knee injury.

That leaves Sunderland slightly short at full-back, with Beale admitting the Black Cats must make a decision before the window closes.
“Timmy (Pembele) is someone we’re very excited about, but he obviously needs to improve his fitness because he’s been out for a long time,” Beale said, assessing his options.

“I think when everyone is available, we have fantastic options, but losing the two will force us to think.

“It’s a long month, and I believe we have another three games before the end of the window, so if we pick up another injury, we’d definitely look to the market, but with young Jenson [Seelt] and Nectar [Triantis], we also have the option of going to a back three.

“We’ve got Aji who is playing there at the moment and Trai Hume, and we’ve got Timmy Pembele as well.”

Sunderland will also be without two attacking players in the coming weeks, with Bradley Dack suffering a hamstring injury and Patrick Roberts not expected to return until next month due to a calf problem.

in other news,  Southampton and Leicester City join the transfer chase for Sunderland star.