Chris Rigg 'gutted' for Sunderland teammate after injury setback

Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg has admitted that he is “gutted” for fellow teenager Tommy Watson following his recent injury setback.

The winger was called upon to deputise for the absent Romaine Mundle last month, and impressed immensely during his run in Regis Le Bris’ starting XI, culminating in a match-winning brace against Stoke City at the Stadium of Light in early December.

Watson would go on to sustain an injury in his next outing, however, and is expected to be sidelined for around two months as a consequence. And following his emergence on Wearside, Rigg has admitted that he was disappointed for his teammate.

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Speaking to Sunderland’s in-house media team, he said: “I think the academy is really, really important for us - as you can see with, Tommy and myself. Obviously, Tommy showed him what he could do the other day, and I'm gutted for him, really, because of his injury. But you've still got, the likes of Dan [Neil] and Patto [Anthony Patterson] who have come through. And the likes of Jobe [Bellingham] - he's still young. So, yeah, I think the academy has played a really big part in how it's gone [so far this season].”

Rigg also took some time to reflect on his own recent success on Wearside, but has insisted that he is still not getting ahead of himself with regards to Sunderland’s promotion hopes. He added: “It's been a good year so far, but we're not done, of course. I did say at the start of the season that I wanted to cement my place in the squad, and I think I have, obviously, due to injuries and stuff, but I think I've took my chance well, and I can only praise the gaffer and the coach and stuff for believing in me.

“We're not done. We've still got a lot of important games coming up, obviously, over the festive period, and onto next year where the games really, really matter. So, yeah, just trying to keep on and improve, really.”