Striker Marc McNulty missed Sunderland's FA Cup first-round replay with Gillingham on Tuesday night due to a hamstring injury, manager Phil Parkinson has confirmed.
It was a dismal evening all round for Sunderland, as they were knocked out at the first-round stage by their League One rivals, with an extra-time goal from Brandon Hanlan securing a 1-0 win for the Gills at Priestfield, making it the first time since the 1920's that the Black Cats have been eliminated in the opening stage of the competition.
Sunderland were without ten senior players for the trip to Priestfield, meaning a number of the club's academy players were called up to the squad for the clash.
Speaking to Sunderland's official website after the defeat about the absence of one of those players in the shape of McNulty, Parkinson revealed: “Marc has got a tight hamstring.
“He has had a scan, there is no real damage to the muscle, which is good news but there is some tightness in there."
Following their defeat to Gillingham, Sunderland turn their attention back to league action with the visit of Coventry to the Stadium of Light on Saturday, before hosting Burton Albion the following Tuesday, and discussing whether McNulty could feature in those games, Parkinson added: “Hopefully it will be resolved sooner rather than later.
“I think he has a chance for the weekend.”
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McNulty joined Sunderland on a season-long loan from Reading during the summer transfer window, with the 27-year-old going on to make 17 appearances and score five goals in all competitions so far this season.
The Verdict
I do think having McNulty back for Saturday will at least be something a relief for Sunderland.
It is clear that things simply aren't going the way the Black Cats would have wanted or expected to at the moment, so it does feel as though they need every little boost they can get in order to help move in the right direction action.
Having McNulty back is arguably one of those boosts, considering it gives them another option in their faltering attack right now.
In some senses however, it already seems as though this has come later than would have been beneficial for Parkinson and Sunderland, considering the pressure that latest defeat to Gillingham has once again put them under.