Unlucky Broadhead may miss the season
FORMER Burton Albion loanee Nathan Broadhead may be out for the season after suffering a serious hamstring injury while playing for Sunderland.
Broadhead, on loan from Everton, had scored six goals in his last six games for the Black Cats when he pulled one back in their Carabao Cup tie against Arsenal last week, which they lost 5-1.
But he limped off with the injury in that game and it has been confirmed as a serious one.
He will be out for at least three months and, if it is decided that an operation is needed, that could be stretched to five months.
Wales Under-21 international Broadhead suffered a series of niggling injuries when he spent the 2019-20 season with Burton, scoring three goals in 22 appearances.
He scored both as the Brewers won 2-1 away to Gillingham and one in the 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Bournemouth.
He looked to have put injury
issues behind him as he emerged as a regular for Sunderland this season, scoring eight goals in all in 17 appearances.
Sunderland manager Lee Johnson says the injury will see him seeking to sign another striker in the January transfer window.
“It’s an absolute disaster and we are going to need help,” said Johnson.
“We’re going to need to add to the squad in January.
“He’s going to be referred to a surgeon.
“It’s a grade 3A, which is bad, and the physios are half-and-half, so it will be up to the surgeon.
“I don’t think he will need one (an operation) and if he doesn’t then it will be three months, but if he does then it could be anywhere up to five.”
Meanwhile, Bolton Wanderers, who were due to play Burton Albion tonight before the game was postponed, look set to have a new striker in their ranks by the time the game is rearranged.
They are expected to sign Deon Charles from Accrington Stanley as soon as the window opens.
Charles, highly-rated and a Northern Ireland international, has fallen out with Accrington manager John Coleman and is currently not playing.