Sunderland could be forced into transfer rethink after promising youngster suffers major injury blow

Feeney was brought into the squad after his release from Everton this summer to strengthen the U23 side and push for first-team contention.

He had made an excellent start in that regard, scoring and impressing during his competitive debut against Aston Villa U21s.

The youngster had also impressed Parkinson in training but was substituted just six minutes into the start of the U23s campaign against Burnley on Monday.

Though it is not the same hamstring injury that brought a premature end to his loan at Tranmere Rovers last season, it is thought to be similar to the problem that sidelined Elliot Embleton for a prolonged period.

Feeney is set to see a surgeon in the coming days but it is feared that he could be out for around four months.

“Morgan Feeney overstretched for a ball and unfortunately has got quite a serious problem with his hamstring,” Parkinson said.

“He's going to see a surgeon, so that's a big blow for him and for us because I felt that he was progressing well.

“I feel for him.

“We'll get him the best possible treatment and hopefully he'll come back stronger.”

Parkinson still wants ‘one or two’ additions before the transfer window shuts in the middle of October, though he is limited in what he can do due to the salary cap rules.

It was those rules that helped bring Feeney onto the club’s radar, with any player under the age of 21 exempt from the cap.

There are other areas of the pitch where the Black Cats boss wants a little extra strength in depth, but Feeney’s prolonged absence will now have to be factored in to any plans going forward.

“It's something we've discussed,” Parkinson said.

“We spoke previously about how if we did get an injury between now and the end of the window, that it could change our thinking.

“It is something we're looking at.

“We don't want to be weak and vulnerable in terms of the numbers we have in any position.

“With Morgan, I felt he had the potential to be a good understudy to Bailey Wright. He's younger obviously but shares a lot of the same characteristics.

“I could see that him in but unfortunately that does look to be a bad injury.”

The 3-2 loss to Burnley U23s did allow Arbenit Xhemajli to improve his match fitness.

The Kosovan was able to play 90 minutes to push his first-team claims further.

“I went to watch the game and he got better as it wore on,” Parkinson said.

“It was a good game for him to play because every knows, Burnley play a very up-and-at-you style of football.

“It was a good test for him, in those early stages of the game in England you don't get time on the ball, you've got to win your headers, deal with the ball quickly.

“He's a quick learner.

“As I've said before, like Danny [Graham] and Remi [Matthews], he's a bit behind and we've got to ease him into the fold gradually.”

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