Dion Sanderson is likely to miss the remainder of the 2020-21 season, Lee Johnson has confirmed.
The on-loan Wolverhampton Wanderers defender, who has impressed throughout his time on Wearside, has been ruled out for six weeks due to a back injury.
Arbenit Xhemajli and Jordan Willis remain sidelined and Conor McLaughlin and Tom Flanagan are also out of Tuesday’s fixture against Blackpool, but the latter duo could return before the end of the regular season.
Speaking to safc.com, the Head Coach provided the latest injury news from the treatment room.
“Dion will be out for six weeks,” said Johnson.
“He’s a good personality and a great kid first and foremost, but the bit that most impressed me was how he stepped up in the leadership and communications skills areas, which shows he has a bright future.”
He continued: “It’s a big blow, but I don’t think about those types of things in that way.
“I look at it as a challenge – otherwise its woe is me – and it’s not about me, it’s about the team and giving someone an opportunity or adjusting it.
“If all goes well, I would expect Conor McLaughlin to be in and about the build-up to the Northampton game.
“With Flanno, you might be chasing it if you had him available for that game – but he might be, and we might have to chase it depending on circumstances over the next couple of games.”