Hume injury blow could see Cats boss dip into transfer market
Denver Hume has suffered a recurrence of his hamstring injury, leaving Lee Johnson searching for a potential addition at left-back in the January window.
Hume, a hugely influential player in the early stages of the season, picked up an injury just half an hour into Johnson's tenure as Sunderland boss.
He had been closing in on a return to the squad, but could now be absent until midway through March.
"Denver has had a recurrence with his hamstring injury which is bad news for us," Johnson said.
"He's got a grade three hamstring tear which probably means somewhere between six and eight weeks out. I feel for him first and foremost, he'd worked really hard and got up to top speed.
"It was just a very innocuous little stretch for a pass and it's recurred."
The Sunderland head coach is now worried about the balance of his side, with Callum McFadzean now the only natural option in that position.
Johnson has players who can step into the role, but fears playing a right-footed option damages the attacking threat of his team.
The Black Cats have been linked with a move for Brighton & Hove Albion youngster Alex Cochrane.
Cochrane is currently on loan at Belgian side Union SG, but has just six months left on
his Brighton deal and aged 20, would not be subject to salary cap restrictions.
The Black Cats are currently running close to the cap and Johnson is known to be eager to strengthen his attack before the window shuts.
"We've absolutely got to consider it," Johnson said.
"We've got a good left-back and we've got a couple there, but we've got to play so many
games. McFadzean can play the role but really has been built as a player further forward.
"Tom Flanagan can do it but is right footed, Dion Sanderson did a great job [at Northampton] but you lose balance when you put a rightfooter there.
"So we've either got to find one [in the market] or find one from within our ranks.
"I can't see one at the moment who I think is absolutely ready to play the number of games we need them to at the level we need them to."
*Ex-Sunderland boss Roy Keane has been tipped for a return to management – with the bookmakers placing him among the favourites for the Sheffield Wednesday job
Keane, who has previously made no secret of his desire to return to management, is currently working as a pundit for Sky Sports.
He has not managed a club side since his spell at Ipswich Town came to an end in 2011 – but has subsequently served as assistant manager for the Republic of Ireland national team, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.
But he could be set for a return to the dugout at Sheffield
Wednesday with the bookmakers suggesting Keane is second favourite for the role.
The former Black Cats’ boss – who guided the side from the Championship to the top flight in a memorable campaign - can be backed at 5/1 for the role. Another exSunderland chief in Chris Coleman is 6/1 to get the job, while Paul Cook remains the odds-on favourite.