Huge blow: Sunderland facing late setback before Plymouth, supporters will be gutted - opinion

An injury development has emerged over Sunderland gem Alex Pritchard… 

Black Cats boss Alex Neil has cast doubt over the midfielder’s availability to face Plymouth in the club’s League One clash this afternoon.

The former Norwich man was missing from the match-day squad on Friday and could now be out for the second match in succession.

Neil told The Northern Echo: “Alex wasn’t fit (for Shrewsbury). We’ll have a call on him (for Plymouth). But it’s obviously a quick turnaround, so we’ll see how he goes over the next day or two.”

He also added: “Hoff (Thorben Hoffmann) was ill on the morning (of the Shrewsbury game). He saw the doctor at ten o’clock and I think he was given some tablets.

“Callum Doyle was ill, and Leon Dajaku has been ill recently too. We’ve certainly got a little bit of a bug floating about at the moment. Unfortunately, three of the lads were missing because of that.”

This update will leave the Black Cats supporters gutted as it is yet another big blow for Pritchard and the club this year.

He only recently returned from another injury earlier this month, with his appearance against Gillingham being his first since the 5th of March against Charlton. That outing on the 2nd of April, however, was his most recent one for Sunderland and it remains to be seen when he will be able to make his return.

Getting him back fit and firing will surely be a priority for Neil as he has been a key player when fit. In League One this season, he has averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.10 whilst chipping in with four goals and seven assists – creating an impressive 2.1 chances per game.

This highlights the level of quality he is able to bring to the table and that is why fans will be gutted with his current injury struggles.