Sunderland injury update as pressure grows on Phil Parkinson ahead of Doncaster clash

Supporters again called for Parkinson’s departure as the Black Cats laboured to an insipid 0-0 draw on Boxing Day against Bolton Wanderers, a result that left them 15th in the League One table.

They have just two wins since Parkinson took charge, and none since November 2nd.

They travel to face a Doncaster side who secured an impressive 3-0 win away at Peterborough United last time out.

"The form and the run of results we have had are there for all to see,” Parkinson said.

"It hurts me, it hurts the players, and it hurts the fans.

"It's not nice to stand there on the touchline when fans are calling for you to be sacked, but I totally understand their frustration.

"It doesn't really matter what I say, the only thing we can do to put this right is to start winning games, and that has to start now.” he added.

"We came close against Bolton, but we came up short on quality in the final third.

"We have to get better at that and when we are on top in games, as we were for long periods against Bolton, we have to make it count.

"But be in no doubt that we are all working as hard as possible to turn things around.

"You can see the areas that we need to strengthen in January, the areas where we are short.

"We have done a lot of work ahead of the window to identify targets and try to line up deals, but we need things to come to fruition as quickly as possible."

Parkinson will be without Tom Flanagan for the clash, the defending pulling up with an injury with just over twenty minutes left against Bolton Wanderers.

Fans were left furious when Parkinson opted to replace him with Laurens De Bock, rather than persisting with a back four.

"It's not a serious injury, it doesn't seem to be a hamstring problem as we first thought,” Parkinson said.

"But he will probably sit this one out to make sure he has fully recovered."