Embleton’s frustrations continue as Cats boss gives injury update

Phil Parkinson insists that Elliot Embleton is going to make a big contribution to Sunderland’s season.

E m b l eto n i s s t i l l yet to make his first appearance of the campaign after suffering a thigh injury in the first half of the club’s opening pre-season fixture at Gateshead.

It was a bitter frustration for the 21-year-old, who had been out of competitive action for almost a year due to two serious hamstring injuries.

T h e ta l e nte d attac k i n g midfielder had played a full part in the early stages of Parkinson’s pre-season preparations, which gives the Black Cats boss confidence that he will return.

Pa rk i n s o n h a s c o n s i s tently said since his arrival that he is eager to get Embleton involved, having been hugely impressed when s tu d y i n g h i s l o a n s p e l l at Grimsby Town.

The Black Cats boss said last week he had suffered one or two further ‘niggles’ in recent weeks, which prevented him playing in the U23s on Monday afternoon.

“With Elliot we're just going to take it very slowly with him,” Parkinson said.

“We need to make sure he's had enough training time and enough game time at U23 level.

“It's frustrating for him because he had a really good preseason, and he will make a big contribution this season, I'm sure of that.

“But he's just not quite ready yet.”

Parkinson also has an injury concern over striker Will Grigg, who was unavailable for selecton after picking up a knock in training on Monday.

The Black Cats boss had intended to start the Northern Irishman with Charlie Wyke against Carlisle United, with the 29-year-old short on minutes in recent weeks.

Wyke produced a goal and an assist in the second half before being replaced by Danny Graham, who produced an assist of his own to tee up Jack Diamond in stoppage time.

“G r i g g y h ad a c l a s h o f shins in training yesterday and has been for an x-ray today,” Parkinson said.

"We’ll continue to assess him over the international break.

“Fingers crossed it won't be too bad.

"Chrissy wasn't initially playing, [as] I was going to go with Griggy and Wyke up front.

"So we put Chrissy put in that number ten role and I was pleased with his contribution.”