The Belgian defender has picked up an injury while on international duty with Belgium Under-21s.
Sunderland’s never-ending injury problems are set to continue with Jason Denayer now out of action for up to a month after tearing a muscle while playing for Belgium Under-21s against Montenegro.
The defender joins a long list of players ruled out with injury at Sunderland, and will be fighting with Jan Kirchhoff, Adnan Januzaj, Lee Cattermole, Steven Pienaar, Fabio Borini and Sebsatian Larsson for space in the Black Cats treatment room.
Tottenham’s Son Heung-min in action with Sunderland’s Jason Denayer
Denayer moved to the Stadium of Light on loan from Manchester City, and since his arrival has played all across the back four. David Moyes’ side have struggled defensively all season and are yet to find a settle back line, and the injury to Denayer will only dent the Scot’s plans even further.
During Sunderland’s last game against West Brom, Moyes reverted to a back three with Denayer, Lamine Kone and John O’Shea playing as centre backs while width was Patrick van Aanholt and Javi Manquillo supplied the width.
Sunderland’s Jason Denayer sustains an injury
It appeared as though this system could be the way forward for Moyes, but the injury to the 21-year-old may have forced the manager to rethink his plans for the trip to Stoke.
Sunderland do have Papy Djilobodji available to slot in for Denayer, but that would leave the Black Cats without a centre back on the bench, which would be a very risky move that Moyes is unlikely to take.
Therefore, the Wearside club may instead have to go for a back four, which is yet to reap any rewards so far this season.
West Bromwich Albion’s Matt Phillips in action with Sunderland’s Jason Denayer
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