Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is set to be out for two months with injury.
David Moyes has told the Chronicle that it is good news that Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s injury is not as bad as first feared.
Pickford damaged his ACL in training, but scans have shown that the tendon is not ruptured.
If Pickford had torn his ACL totally, he could have been set to miss the rest of the season, but as things stand he is only set to miss the next two months.
Although that is far from ideal for Sunderland, Moyes admits that things could have been worse for the young goalkeeper.
“Jordan Pickford has good news and bad news. The good news is he hasn’t ruptured his ACL, the bad news is he’s strained it.” Moyes said.
“We’re looking at 6-8 weeks, it’s a major disappointment for him and for us because he’s been saving us points.”
Pickford has arguably been Sunderland’s best player so far this season, with the England youth international pulling off a number of incredible stops.
Pickford has won Sunderland points single-handedly on occasion, and he has earned a great amount of praise.
In his absence, Vito Mannone is likely to be recalled to Sunderland’s first-team – and Moyes insists that he has full faith in the Italian to provide adequate cover.
“Vito Mannone is fine and he’s been training for many weeks since his injury. He has a lot of experience,” Moyes added.
Sunderland are next in action on New Year’s Eve, when they take on Burnley at Turf Moor.
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