Sunderland midfielder Elliot Embleton reveals fitness update after serious hamstring injury

It was hoped this could prove a breakthrough season for the promising midfielder at the Stadium of Light but he suffered a serious hamstring injury in the Carabao Cup win over Sheffield United back in September and has been out since.

The Durham-born midfielder required an operation that will keep him out until later this month.

Embleton injured the same hamstring during a loan spell at Grimsby Town last season and admits when he first suffered the fresh injury he feared the worst.

Embleton said: “It was a really hard one to take when I found out the severity of it because my immediate thought was that all my hard work was for nothing.

“My mindset had to change from wanting to be part of the team week in week out, to doing everything I could to get back fit.”

Embleton underwent surgery in London and was told to rest for a month, with his leg in a brace, before hitting the gym in a bid to build the strength up again in his leg.

Embleton added: “I'm still a few weeks away but I’m working in the gym almost every day to make sure I come back even stronger.

“I’m ready to move to the next stage of rehabilitation now where I’ll be back out on the grass running so that’s another plus.”

Since he suffered the injury there is a new manager in the dugout with 20-year-old Embleton out to impress Phil Parkinson when he does return.