Following the defeat to Hull City, Michael Beale provided an update on Sunderland’s transfers and injuries.
Michael Beale has revealed that Aji Alese would be sidelined for at least a month, leaving Sunderland without a fit left defender.
Alese was withdrawn from training on Wednesday after only recently returning from a long-term ailment, while Dennis Cirkin was sidelined for approximately three months. As a result, Beale was obliged to transfer Trai Hume to left back on Friday night, with Jenson Seelt going in as a right back out of position.
“Aji will be out for a month or so,” Beale said following the defeat to Hull City.
“With Dennis out for the foreseeable future, as well as Niall and Aji, it’s not looking good for us right now. I believe we are also missing Paddy Roberts, and Bradley Dack clearly has experience in this level and is a goal threat. I think young Hemir came on and had an impact in the game, and I thought Naz was really honest in running.”
Beale stated that the club was aiming to add extra cover in the full back positions, but that patience was needed in a ‘tough window’. Sunderland also wants to add a striker and possibly a holding midfielder, but there is little evidence of progress.
“There’s one or two areas we’d like to strengthen, but it’s a difficult window and we’re not the ones with the biggest pockets in that window in this division,” Beale went on to say.
“We will see. We’re working incredibly hard behind the scenes and trying to bring in players, but I think we’ll have to be patient. As the team’s coach, my focus must be on the players who are in the house, rather than waiting for outside help to fix the problem. If folks arrive, great. But if they don’t, I’ll definitely need to get more out of this bunch.”
Beale also responded briefly to allegations that the club is interested in signing Yann M’Vila, implying that no negotiations have taken place despite recent reports.
“Yann M’Vila?” “It’s nothing I’ve discussed at home,” he remarked.
