Sunderland boss hoping for good news on the injury front after Liverpool draw

Fabio Borini was withdrawn from the squad in the build-up to the match against Liverpool at Anfield after waking up feeling ill on Saturday morning.

Duncan Watmore had to be substituted after just 25 minutes after going over on his ankle, while striker Jermain Defoe looked to be holding his right hamstring in the dying stages of the 2-2 draw.

Jeremain Lens had failed a fitness test earlier in the week, while Younes Kaboul was also expected to be back in the squad after a spell out injured but had a setback in training on Friday.

Allardyce is hoping for good news though ahead of the lunchtime game with Manchester United at the Stadium of Light next Saturday.

When asked if Defoe's was a serious injury, Allardyce said: "I hope not.

"I don't know what he has done hopefully he will be okay.

"On Thursday we were looking great, Younes Kaboul said he was fit. Friday he got injured.

"Jeremain Lens failed a fitness test on Tuesday. Fabio Borini woke up on Saturday morning and had to go home as he was too ill.

"Duncan came off after 25 minutes with an injury, and I'm thinking what is going to happen now!

"Then we went 2-0 down and you are thinking could it get any worse?

"Thankfully they made me happy this weekend by fighting until the end, and hopefully those injuries will recover pretty quickly."

The Sunderland boss also said that he hadn't seen the walk-out by thousands of Liverpool fans on the 77 minute mark in protest at rising ticket prices as he was too focused on his team's performance.

Allardyce added: "I didn't see a walk out.

"I was far too busy concentrating on my team to worry about a God-damn walkout!"