Maja to be assessed after knee injury scare

Sunderland Under-23s boss Elliot Dickman says Josh Maja will be assessed at the Academy of Light after his late withdrawal from yesterday’s Premier League 2 game at Everton.

Maja (pictured) was due to step up his comeback at the Toffees’ Finch Farm base yesterday, but was replaced by Rees Greenwood shortly before kick-off.

Dickman told safc.com: “Maja just felt his knee in the warm-up. It was a sensible decision. We didn’t want to take any risks and (today) he will be assessed by the medical team at the Academy of Light.

“He is just coming back from an injury,sowedidn’twant t o take any chances. Hopefully we should know more after the weekend.”

There was better news elsewhere for the Black Cats as Paddy McNair played an hour in the 1-0 win over the defending champions, who would have gone top of the table with a win.

Sunderland were under pressure for much of the second half but sealed the three points late on, thanks to a fine finish from Luke Molyneux.

Elliot Embleton released the winger, who struck the ball across keeper Joel Robles and into the far corner.

Morgan Feeney went close with two late headers for Everton, the latter after a fine delivery from Luke Garbutt, but the hosts were unable to turn their pressure into a goal.

Dickman praised his side’s determination and was particularly pleased with the first half display.

“In the first half, we played some of the best football we have done all season,” he said.

“We moved the ball well and got into good positions – I was really pleased with what I saw because I didn’t think they troubled us too much.

“There weren’t too many chances in the game, but we kept ourselves in it and scored a good goal.

“We still need to tidy up on a few things, especially with a bit more care in and around the final third.”