A development has emerged on Sunderland midfielder Lynden Gooch and his fitness ahead of the World Cup break...
What's the latest?
Black Cats boss Tony Mowbray has revealed that the versatile gem is set to be out until after the international competition, which will force a three-week spell without Championship matches for the club between the middle of November and the start of December.
He told the Sunderland Echo: "I think Lynden will be two to three weeks, which obviously takes him past where we would need him to be [to play before the World Cup].
"I think while we're away he'll get his boots back and join us in training, and hopefully be with us for that first game after the break."
The manager had hoped that the American would be available to face Burnley in the Championship last weekend but he now looks set to wait until December to make his next appearance, with four league matches to go before the break.
Big blow
This news could be a big blow for Mowbray as Gooch has been a regular in the team this season and was clearly trusted by the head coach, as he was by both Lee Johnson and Alex Neil.
The gem played 41 times in League One for the two former Sunderland bosses combined last season and averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.77. He created nine big chances and assisted six goals, whilst also making an average of 2.0 tackles and interceptions per game, in the third tier as he showcased his quality at both ends of the pitch.
Gooch started all of the first 14 matches of the current campaign before suffering this injury and averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.77, assisting one goal and making 2.3 tackles and interceptions per outing.
These statistics show that his performance levels have been consistent in spite of the change in division, from League One to the Championship, and this is a credit to his adaptability.
Trai Hume started at right-back in place of him against Burnley and the 20-year-old has not been able to provide a similar level of quality, as he recorded a SofaScore rating of 6.1 and has averaged a score of 6.47 across four appearances so far this season.
He is a promising young player and could step up in the upcoming matches but these statistics and his age show that he is not the consistent, assured, presence that Gooch provides on the right.
Therefore, losing the versatile American could be a big blow for Sunderland unless Hume is able to step up his performances and come into his own as a Sunderland player ahead of the World Cup.