Lee Johnson reveals Tom Flanagan injury blow in full Sunderland fitness update

Tom Flanagan is likely to be sidelined until February due to a broken metatarsal.
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The Northern Ireland has been a regular for the Black Cats this season but was a surprise omission from the squad for the 1-1 draw with Hull City on Saturday night.

Lee Johnson confirmed after the game that the 28-year-old has been suffering from the injury in recent weeks, and will now undergo the necessary treatment and recovery.

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"Flanno has got a broken metatarsal sustained, I think, before I came in," Johnson said.

Sunderland defender Tom FlanaganSunderland defender Tom Flanagan
Sunderland defender Tom Flanagan

"He’s been playing on with that but it’s painful, and losing him is a difficult one to take.

"It’s a very small break or fracture. It could be as short as three weeks or it could be as long as six weeks.

"I think it will be the shorter version, and that’s good because he is important and I think he’s been playing well."

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Johnson also confirmed that Jordan Willis was the player he said would miss the game due to illness in his pre-match remarks.

The defender, who has not started a game since the 2-1 defeat to MK Dons on November 7th, has tested negative for COVID-19.

"Jordan was a bit of a frustrating one because he would have played tonight in some shape or form.

"He has a cold, he has had a Covid test and it’s not Covid.

"I need to demand players get out there, but he’s ill and you can’t legislate for that.

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"We will need everybody, though, so it is really important we look after the boys and try to prevent them picking up these kind of bugs."

Johnson will monitor Conor McLaughlin and Lee Burge over the coming days after they were both replaced at half time on Saturday night.

McLaughlin is managing an ongoing hernia problem, while Burge suffered an eye injury moments before his error allowed Grant McCann's side to take the lead at the Stadium of Light.

"He came off at half time complaining of a little bit of a blind spot in his left eye," Johnson explained.

"It was better to be safe than sorry.

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"Whether that affected his balance or his judgement for the goal or not, we'll give him the benefit of the doubt."

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