Cats pair to go under the knife – and striker a worry too
CHANGES FOR ARGYLE CLASH
DENVER Hume and Conor McLaughlin are set for hernia surgery today, Lee Johnson has confirmed.
While a scan on Danny Graham’s knee problem showed no major damage, the striker limped out of training yesterday and his injury continues to be a worry for the Sunderland boss.
Johnson said last week McLaughlin needed a hernia operation and also said there was another player with a similar problem - yesterday he revealed left-back Hume is the other man who needs to go under the knife.
Hume has been out of action after tearing his hamstring in Johnson’s first game in charge in early December and he suffered a recurrence of that injury last week which could keep him out until mid-March, so the hernia surgery is unlikely to add to his time on the sidelines.
Johnson believes McLaughlin could resume training within three and a half weeks.
He said yesterday: “Conor was one of those who had hernia trouble and
Denver was the other. They are both going for operations in London tomorrow.
“Denver has a hamstring problem anyway so it was probably the best time for him to have the hernia surgery.
“Depending on what exactly he has done, and what procedure they go for when they go in with the micro-surgery – it could be mesh or they could sew it – we will find out a bit more on the prognosis and recovery time.
“Where Conor is concerned, we hope he will not be out for any longer than three and a half weeks max.”
Graham’s knee injury is proving problematic and the club’s medical staff are waiting for it to settle down before deciding on their next move.
Sunderland take on Plymouth Argyle at the Stadium of Light tonight (7.00) and Johnson expects to make ‘one or two’ changes following the weekend win at AFC Wimbledon.
He added: “We had a couple of knocks, as always come to the fore in the 48 hours following a game, so there may be one or two changes for the Plymouth match.
“They are not major injuries, it is just a case of freshening things up and making sure for the next game we are fully fit as a squad – or as fit as we can be.”
One player who remains on the sidelines is forward Lynden Gooch, who missed out at the weekend after returning a positive Covid test on the eve of the game.
The USA international is isolating but could be available again in time for next Tuesday’s trip to Ipswich Town.
Johnson said: “I think he can come back on the 11th day following the positive test.
“The tests were Friday so if you work that out then I think he would be available for next Tuesday.
“Lynden was completely asymptomatic and he had me convinced it was a failed test because he was so strong and insistent that there was no way that he felt unwell.
“Then he had a second test and that was also positive. I suppose the good thing is the tests are working correctly and we just have to deal with the fact a player is positive.”
Luke O’Nien was an unused substitute at Wimbledon as he returned to the squad for the first time since dislocating his shoulder at the beginning of December.
The midfielder is not yet ready to start games but his presence on the bench showed he is nearing a comeback.
Johnson said: “Luke is still growing in confidence and we were at the point where, if we felt we needed that option for five minutes, we could have put him on.”