Sunderland boss gives full injury update ahead of a crucial week for his side

Phil Parkinson is hoping to be able to call upon Callum McFadzean and Aiden O'Brien this week, after influential forward Lynden Gooch was ruled out for up to a month.
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Gooch is suffering from an ankle problem that will see him miss Sunderland's crucial game against Fleetwood Town on Friday night.

"Goochy went to see a specialist, and he feels he needs a period of rest with his ankle injury,” Parkinson said.

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"He’s going to have an injection (tomorrow), which we hope will speed that recovery up.

Aiden O'Brien could be back in action for Sunderland this weekAiden O'Brien could be back in action for Sunderland this week
Aiden O'Brien could be back in action for Sunderland this week

“But we’re probably looking at two to four weeks where we’ll be without Lynden, which is a blow because he’s been exceptional for us this season. We’ve got to take the advice of the specialist, and we want to make sure Lynden is right and flying when he comes back.”

O'Brien missed the 1-1 draw with Doncaster Rovers due to a groin problem, but has trained this week.

McFadzean has been absent with a hamstring problem picked up during Sunderland's 2-1 defeat to Fleetwood when the sides recently met in the Papa John's Trophy.

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McFadzean had scored in that game, and produced another impressive display to underline a positive start to his career on Wearside.

The clash with Joey Barton's side may come too soon for the pair, but they should be able to feature against Burton Albion and Wigan Athletic.

"We've got three games in eight days," Parkinson said.

"Aiden was only missing with a very minor problem last weekend, and has trained this week.

"With Callum, he comes into contention. If not against Fleetwood, then certainly the games at home. They've been around the squad and trained last week."

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Gooch's injury could present more opportunities for talented attacking midfielder Elliot Embleton, who has returned from injury in recent weeks.

Parkinson has taken a cautious approach with the 21-year-old, who spent the best part of a year on the sidelines due to injury and the early curtailment of last season.

The Black Cats boss says the next three games will present an opportunity to impress.

“With Embo, he’s a player who just had a very difficult year,” he said.

“You can’t really say anything other than that with him.

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“His development in terms of his loan move and his international games was great, but unfortunately he’s had the setback of missing a year of football. As I say every week with him, there is a process of getting him robust enough for league football, but he is a player who has done that before with his loan at Grimsby.

“In this next eight days, Embo’s going to be expected to get some game time, and we’re looking forward to seeing him out there.”

Parkinson also confirmed that Morgan Feeney will begin training next week after recovering from a hamstring problem.

Feeney had impressed in both U23 and senior action after joining from Everton this summer.

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"Morgan has been out on the training pitches and will hopefully be back in training next week," Parkinson said.

"He'll need longer but he's done really well."

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