Cats close to deal for Madrid star Manquillo
SUNDERLAND were last night completing a deal to sign Atletico Madrid right-back Javi Manquillo on a season-long loan.
Assistant manager Paul Bracewell has also confirmed Black Cats goalkeeper Vito Mannone does NOT have a broken elbow.
The Wearsiders beat Shrewsbury Town 1-0 in the EFL Cup second round at the Stadium of Light.
A late goal by Adnan Januzaj settled the tie.
David Moyes did not attend the post-match press conference, instead overseeing Manquillo’s medical ahead of confirmation of his signing.
“He is having his medical at the moment,” said Bracewell, standing in for Moyes.
“He came in this afternoon and he is having his medical as we speak.”
Mannone missed the cup tie with an elbow injury and Bracewell added: “Vito went to hospital on Tuesday, he had an accident in training.
“The X-ray was fine but went again for a scan yesterday.
“We will get the results of that once the specialist has had a look at it.
“Then we will have a better idea how long he will be out.
“We are not sure what it is but in terms of the bone they said it was not a fracture but there is a lot of swelling there.
“The scan will give us an indication of any ligament damage.
“With John (O’Shea) it is the same in terms of a scan. He will be assessed again.
“Jeremain Lens picked up a foot injury in training, which hopefully should settle down and Billy Jones could be back in training soon so there are one or two to hopefully come back.
“The physio has been working hard and we will have better idea on Friday who’s available.”
Reflecting on victory over the Shrews, Bracewell said: “We are delighted we got through to the next round.
“We kept a clean sheet and got our first win (of the season).
“We put a young team out, with one or two lads playing out of position.
“It was a tough game but all in all the most important thing in cup games is the fact we got through.
“There is no real frustration because we have not had a real chance to work with them.
“We had Jack Rodwell at centre-back, which is not his position. We had young lads new to the club playing their second game and Joel (Asoro) up front.
“So all in all you cannot be too disappointed.
“It is always nice to be in a winning dressing room, as a player, as supporters, as management. We just have to keep going. We dust ourselves down, we have another big game coming up on Saturday.”
Asked about Januzaj’s 84thminute goal, Bracewell added: “That is one of the reasons the boss brought him in.
“All of a sudden he can turn a game. It was a great finish and great to get the result on a tough night.
“It is a work in progress. Some things we were happy with, some things we were not.
“He has that ability to deliver something special.”