Phil Parkinson confirms major injury blow for Benji Kimpioka and Sunderland

The 20-year-old has made a superb start to the U23 season after ending his long impasse over a new contract earlier this summer.

The Swedish youth international already has six goals to his name, and was nominated for the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award for October.

The nominees were chosen by the Premier League's Football Development Panel after Premier League 2 coaches named the best performance by an opposition player. Also nominated was Joe Hugill, who left the Black Cats to join Manchester United earlier this summer.

Kimpioka suffered the injury in a 2-0 win over Aston Villa.

The initial assessments suggested that Kimpioka was unlikely to be play again this year, and further tests mean his absence is likely to extend beyond that.

“Benji is going to have an operation on his hamstring next week,” Parkinson said.

“Unfortunately, the specialist feels that it needs surgery.

“It's a real shame for him because he had been playing well and had got goals in the U23s.

“As you can imagine, he's pretty down about it but we've just got to make sure he gets the best possible treatment so that he can come back ready to go again in three to four months.

“Everybody has been really pleased with him since he came back.

“He was almost having his pre-season in those U23 games and was getting right up to speed.

“So it's a shame for him and also for us, because he was a player we could have utilised.”

Parkinson confirmed that Kimpioka would have been included in the senior squads for the upcoming two cup games, had he been fit.

“He would certainly have figured in these games," Parkinson said.

“That was in our mind, to give him an opportunity.

“He's done really well in the U23s, I watched the game against Aston Villa last week and he showed a good understanding of his role.

“We're pleased with him. It's a blow but that's one of the pitfalls of being a footballer and you've got to come through the other side of it mentally and physically strong.”

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