The German is yet to play in either of the Black Cats’ first two Premier League games.
Sunderland manager David Moyes
David Moyes has suggested to the Shields Gazette that Jan Kirchhoff will not be back playing for Sunderland until after the upcoming international break.
The 25-year-old has not featured in either of the club’s first two Premier League games due to a hamstring injury that was sustained in pre-season, the Shields Gazette reports.
Sunderland’s Jan Kirchhoff
And while Moyes confirmed that he is making progress in his recovery, he predicted that there was no chance of him featuring against Shrewsbury in the League Cup tonight, or against Southampton in the league this weekend.
“Jan Kirchhoff is doing a bit of running,” he told the Shields Gazette.
“My feeling is he won’t be ready at the earliest until after the international break.
“I don’t think he will make tonight or Saturday.”
Not having Kirchhoff back amongst the squad will be a big blow for Moyes. The former Bayern Munich man’s arrival at the Stadium of Light in January was one of a number of reasons why the Black Cats ultimately experienced the kind of upturn in form that saw them beat the drop under Sam Allardyce last year.
And while there will still be a long way to go before anything is decided – even if Kirchhoff does not return for their game after the break, against Everton – the start the club have made suggests that they are in for a difficult campaign, having lost to Manchester City and Middlesbrough so far.
And if they hope to not be involved in a relegation battle this term – though Moyes has already suggested that it may be inevitable anyway (via BBC Sport) – then they will surely need their best players, like Kirchhoff, to be available for as much of the season as possible.
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