Injuries are no excuse for our woes - Dunc

DUNCAN Watmore says Sunderland are “as focused as ever” about trying to beat relegation and they cannot use the injuries he and others have picked up as an excuse.

The Black Cats have an impressive track record of beating Premier League relegation with late-season surges but there seems to be an air of resignation among many supporters there is nothing left to give in 2016-17.

There was no lack of effort in the 0-0 draw with Burnley but it only highlighted the shortcomings of the squad.

Watmore saved the lives of three fellow holidaymakers last month but he has been able to do anything to rescue Sunderland from their current plight.

The 23-year-old ruptured his anterior cruciate ligaments in December, ending his season, and he admits it has been frustrating being so powerless to help.

Paddy McNair suffered a similar injury two weeks earlier and Jan Kirchhoff may have played his last game of the season, having only started once since October 1.

Victor Anichebe is hoping to make only his second appearance of 2017 soon and Lee Cattermole is back in training having been out since September.

Watmoe said: “It has not helped our position in the league with the injuries we have had, but as far as the team is concerned they are just as focused as ever.

“You cannot use injuries as excuses and Paddy and I feel very frustrated we cannot go out and help.

“You just have to try, as an injured person, to do everything you can behind the scenes to keep morale up, keep working hard and make sure you can support the lads in whatever way you can.”

Watmore’s pace from the right was a key factor in the upturn of form they showed in October/ November.

It was based around a 4-3-3 formation which saw Anichebe provide a genuine aerial threat from the other side of Jermain Defoe. Fabio Borini and Adnan Januzaj have not been able to provide the same attacking threat or balance in their absence.

In February, Steve Pienaar spoke of how Cattermole was “pushing the players to give everything” while he was on the sidelines.

Pienaar (calf) and John O’Shea (shin) are doubts for tomorrow’s trip to Watford.

However, Lamine Kone is expected to recover from the knee problem which kept him out of the game against Burnley and the subsequent international break.