A big update has emerged on Sunderland star Lynden Gooch and his injury situation at the Stadium of Light... 

What's the latest?

Black Cats reporter Joe Nicholson has revealed that the utility man is currently sidelined after suffering a setback with a calf problem between the matches against Cheltenham and Wimbledon.

Speaking on the Roar podcast, via ThisIsFutbol, he said: “Lynden Gooch we believe was out with a calf injury, he missed the Cheltenham game, we heard that wasn’t too bad, but then he wasn’t in the squad for Wimbledon so there are a couple of setbacks.”

Sunderland will be livid

Sunderland boss Alex Neil will surely be left livid by this news as he has suffered a frustrating injury blow during his first week in the job at the Stadium of Light.

The former Preston and Norwich coach will not be pleased with this update as it suggests that Gooch will be out for longer than expected. Whilst the initial word was that he has not been hit by a serious knock, the setback could now raise alarm bells and cause Neil to wonder how long the utility man will be out for.

His absence will be a blow to the Scot as he is capable of playing in a number of roles across the pitch. Gooch has played in every single position on the pitch other than goalkeeper and centre-back in his career, which shows off his incredible versatility and willingness to go wherever he is needed for the sake of the team.

He racked up 14 goals and 13 assists in the two previous League One campaigns combined and Neil could look to get him back to his best after a difficult season so far. The winger is on zero goals and five assists in 24 league outings this term and this latest injury blow will surely set him back further in his journey to getting back to the levels he has previously been able to show.

Neil will, therefore, be livid as he has lost a player with versatility and quality that could be utilised when he is fit and firing. Hopefully, he will be able to return quickly and will not be out fo an extended period of time and the Black Cats coach will be able to work with him on the training pitch to kickstart his 2021/22 campaign.

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