Lee Johnson gives Grant Leadbitter injury update after dramatic Sunderland draw

The influential midfielder had been on the pitch a matter of minutes when he was forced to come off after suffering the injury in an off-the-ball incident.

Johnson revealed after the game that he had first suffered the injury during the 1-0 win over Ipswich Town in late January.

The 35-year-old was in obvious discomfort as he left the pitch but Johnson hopes the swift work from medical staff at both clubs will mean he is not facing a lengthy lay-off.

“Grant's shoulder popped out of the joint and credit has to go to the Crewe doctor and our physios, because somehow they've managed to pop it back in,” Johnson said.

“You could hear how much pain he was in, so I was worried.

“When you are able to put it back in it gives you a chance for it to heal better.

“We'll have to see.

“It actually happened initially in the Ipswich game, he took a real clattering there.

“Since then he's had a couple of injections so there's obviously the root of the problem there.”

Leadbitter was replaced by Carl Winchester as the Black Cats fought back to rescue an unlikely point at Gresty Road.

“I hope we don't lose him for too long because he's a really important player for us but to be fair, Winch has done well and brought some fluidity to the performance,” Johnson said.

“Having Josh Scowen back is obviously big and important as well.”