Sunderland assessing Dion Sanderson injury ahead of crucial promotion run-in

The Wolves loanee played the full 90 minutes against Wigan Athletic on Tuesday evening, but Lee Johnson conceded after the game that the youngster had complained of a back issue in the build-up to the fixture.

"Dion Sanderson's back has been an issue all week,” he said after the defeat.

"We were a little bit light in that area, but at the same time I don’t think that’s any excuse because it wasn’t really central defence that cost us."

Johnson and Sunderland’s medical staff will continue to monitor Sanderson ahead of the season run-in, with the head coach set to give an update on the centre back at his weekly press conference on Friday.

Conor McLaughlin will also be monitored after he withdrew from the warm-up at the DW Stadium, in a game where Bailey Wright returned from injury.

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