Maguire injury blow

Cats boss ponders options after Maguire setback

Jack Ross looks set to reshuffle his attacking options at Bristol Rovers tomorrow, with Chris Maguire ruled out for six to eight weeks.

The Black Cats boss confirmed on Thursday that the popular forward has a fractured fibula.

Ross said: “Chris has a fractured fibula, so he will be out for between six and eight weeks.

“Hopefully he is more towards the six week period of that.

“He has another appointment next week to confirm he doesn’t need surgery but we don’t think that will be the case.

“It’s a blow for him and a blow for us as he’s been important in terms of goals and assists,” he said.

Maguire was replaced in the 4-2 win over Gillingham by Lynden Gooch.

Ross confirmed that the 23-year-old is also a doubt for the Memorial Ground clash. “Lynden is a doubt, we’ll see how he is on Friday,” Ross said. “He picked up a hamstring injury at the very end of the game on Tuesday.

“We’ll look at him tomorrow and see how he is and whether he travels with us or not.”

One boost is that Duncan Watmore, who impressed against Blackpool last week, should return to the squad.

His only other injury concern is Bryan Oviedo, who remains ‘unavailable’.

The Costa Rican returned to training at the start of this week but has been struggling with a calf problem.

Oviedo had been expected to join West Brom on deadline day as they push for promotion straight back to the Premier League.

However, the deal fell through and Oviedo returned to Wearside for the rest of the season.