David Moyes has given an update on the fitness of his squad ahead of the long trip to the south coast.
Speaking to the club’s official website ahead of Saturday’s match with Bournemouth, Sunderland manager David Moyes has confirmed that veteran defender John O’Shea will miss the clash at the Vitality Stadium due to injury.
The Scot also gave an update on the conditions of midfield duo Lee Cattermole and Sebastien Larsson, both of whom are expected to be lining up for the Black Cats again in the near future.
Sunderland’s John O’Shea
“John O’Shea is obviously not fit [for this weekend],” Moyes said, with summer signing Papy Djilobodji likely to deputise alongside Lamine Kone at the heart of the defence.
“Seb Larsson is back training and he might have a game in the under-23s – maybe next week – and Lee Cattermole is making some progress as well,” he added.
“It’s always good to get any of the players back at the moment and two or three are making good progress.”
Arsenal’s Theo Walcott in action with Sunderland’s Lee Cattermole
His beleaguered side are in need of all the boosts they can get at the moment. Sunderland are rock bottom of the Premier League and have collected just two points from their opening 10 matches – the worst start by any team in Premier League history.
Just two players – Jermain Defoe and Patrick van Aanholt – have found the net for the Wearside outfit in the league this season, while only Hull have conceded more than the 20 goals that Moyes’ side have shipped.
Jermain Defoe is one of just two players to have scored in the Premier League for Sunderland this season
In a bid to boost links with the local community, the former Everton manager took his squad to the Nissan plant in Sunderland this week. His side continue to be well backed by a sizable and loyal fanbase despite their struggles on the pitch, and Moyes will be desperate to reward supporters with a positive result this weekend – particularly those who are making the 702-mile round trip to the south coast.
The Vitality Stadium will not be an easy venue in which to end their dismal run. Bournemouth have picked up 10 points from their five home league games thus far, a run which has included a win over Everton and a 6-1 thumping of Hull.
Sunderland manager David Moyes looks dejected
Sunderland’s next two matches are crucial. Their trip to the south coast is followed after the international break by a visit from fellow strugglers Hull; if the Black Cats remain without a win by the time Mike Phelan’s side have left the Stadium of Light, Moyes’ position may be hanging by a thread.
Can Sunderland claim their first win of the season this weekend? Leave your predictions below.
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