Sunderland and Dennis Cirkin faces setback as Defender suffers another injury
Dennis Cirkin has faced another significant setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury, marking a challenging season for the Sunderland defender. Despite featuring only eight times in the Championship due to fitness struggles, his last appearance was in November during a 0-0 draw against Swansea City. Cirkin returned to training last month after a hamstring issue but experienced discomfort, leading to further scans. He recently underwent surgery, and Sunderland confirmed on their official website that his rehabilitation will span up to 12 weeks at a minimum.
This unfortunate development jeopardizes Cirkin’s availability for the remainder of the season, impacting Sunderland’s play-off aspirations, given his crucial role as a full-back for the team. The 21-year-old played 28 times in the Championship last season, contributing to Sunderland’s sixth-place finish under Tony Mowbray.
In addition to Cirkin, Sunderland also announced that Niall Huggins has undergone surgery, ruling him out for the rest of the current campaign. Bradley Dack remains sidelined with a hamstring issue, while Patrick Roberts is expected to return from a calf injury next month.
Sunderland, currently under new head coach Michael Beale, is facing defensive challenges due to injuries this season. Cirkin’s prolonged absence further exacerbates the situation. Despite the setback, the timing in January allows Sunderland the opportunity to explore short-term solutions in the winter transfer window to reinforce Beale’s squad for the promotion push.
