Key duo major doubts for Sunderland's season opener as Jack Ross reveals injury latest

Jack Ross has a number of injury concerns ahead of Saturday's clash with Charlton Athletic.
Tom Flanagan looks set to miss Sunderland's season openerTom Flanagan looks set to miss Sunderland's season opener
Tom Flanagan looks set to miss Sunderland's season opener

Tom Flanagan looks set to miss the game while there are significant doubts over Dylan McGeouch, who was suffering from a tight calf during the 0-0 draw with Middlesbrough last week.

That, coupled with the arrivals of Luke O'Nien and Jack Baldwin this week, means that Ross is yet to settle on his starting XI for the league opener.

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Ross said: "Obviously Aiden and Duncan [are out], the longer term ones.

"Reece James is still not ready although he is edging back to fitness after missing a lot of pre-season.

"Tom Flanagan will probably miss out as well because he picked up an injury in training which we are assessing the seriousness of. He got a knock just below his knee and it's a sore one.

"Ethan Robson will hopefully train on Thursday which means he will be available.

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"We're low on numbers but bringing a couple of new players in has helped us to a degree.

"[McGeouch] is doubtful. We’ve not given up hope of him being available but there’s a balance between pushing him hard for this weekend and risking him for longer. That’s not been decided either way but it’s a decision to make. We need him for a long season.

"Ideally I'd like to go into the first game of the season with everyone available but that won't be the case, although I think Charlton are in the same boat.

"I probably know the majority of my team but again that’s been challenged by adding to the squad and unfortunately we’ve picked up those couple of injuries.

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"That’s part of the challenge of being the manager because in the run up to the Middlesbrough game I probably was quite settled, but these challenges have arisen. We probably won’t settle on it until towards the end of the week."

Ross added that McGeady has suffered a further setback after playing no part in pre-season, but he remains confident that he will add quality to the side when fit.

He said: "Aiden had a bit of a setback on his calf injury at the end of last week and he had some work done on it yesterday to try and settle it down.

"We will assess him again in 10 days and see whether he needs any more work or whether he is able to kick-on.

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"It has been really frustrating for him because he hasn't been involved in any sessions since day one of pre-season.

"He has undoubtedly got masses of quality and he will be an asset for us.

"It's frustrating for him but hopefully we will get to the bottom of it, whether that takes 10 days or two or three weeks we will get to that end point soon and he will be back available."