Sunderland defender Arbenit Xhemajli is facing a spell on the sidelines with injury, a report from The Sunderland Echo has revealed.

Xhemajli, a summer signing for the Black Cats from Swiss side Neuchatel Xamax, had been called up to by his native Kosovo for the October international break, and it seems that could be set to cause a problem for Sunderland.

According to this latest update, Xhemajli suffered an injury to his right knee while training with his country's Under 21s side.

The 22-year-old is now set to be assessed over the next few days to establish the full extent of the injury, but it is thought that the centre back could now be facing the prospect of being out of action for several weeks.

Since joining Sunderland this summer, Xhemajli has made just a single appearance for Phil Parkinson's side, which came in their 8-1 thrashing of Aston Villa's Under 21 side in the EFL Trophy last month.

Sunderland are set to return to action after the international break on the 17th October, when they travel to The County Ground to face Swindon Town.

The Verdict

This is a problem that Sunderland could have well done without.

The long term injury Morgan Feeney and Tom Flanagan's suspension for the trip to Swindon mean the Black Cats are already somewhat short of options at centre back as it is.

Xhemajli's injury here is only going to put them under more pressure in that position from a fitness perspective, and that will be made even more frustrating by the fact it was an injury picked up on international duty.

You also have to feel Xhemajli here, given the club's troubles at centre back could have meant he was set for his first-team chance in the league after the international break, something which now looks unlikely to happen for quite some time for the young defender.