Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey was taken off during the Netherlands’ draw with Germany on Thursday night.

Netherlands head coach Xavi Hernandez has confirmed that Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey sustained an injury during his side’s 1-1 draw with Germany on Thursday evening.

The Black Cats forward lasted just 35 minutes of the UEFA Nations League clash before going down and immediately signalling that he needed to be substituted. Brobbey looked to be clutching his hamstring, and while he was able to leave the pitch under his own steam, he was limping heavily as he made his way down the tunnel, requiring assistance from Dutch backroom staff members.

And while the exact nature and severity of Brobbey’s issue has not been established, his national team boss confirmed in a post-match press conference that the setback is notable enough for the player to return to Wearside, with the Netherlands set to bring in a replacement ahead of their next match, against Serbia on Sunday.

Hernandez said: “Brian is indeed injured, unfortunately, so we will call up another striker. We haven’t decided who yet; I haven’t had time for that yet.”

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The update will no doubt lead to a great deal off anxiety in the North East, where Brobbey has established himself as a vital presence since his arrival from Ajax last summer. Widely lauded for his immense physicality, the hitman opened his account for the new campaign with a hat-trick - the first of his senior career - against Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.

Since signing for the Black Cats, he has registered 10 goals across 38 appearances in red and white.

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