Black Cats lose Lawrence

Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy has been dealt a huge blow by the news that midfielder Liam Lawrence will undergo ankle surgery on Monday.

The 23-year-old, a summer signing from Mansfield, has missed the last four games through injury, and McCarthy confirmed today an operation is the only course of action open to the club.

“Liam’s having an operation on Monday and however long his rehabilitation takes, that’s how long he’ll be out,” he said. “But if you are having an operation on an ankle, you will be out for a while.

“It is a blow because we lose somebody out of one of the positions who was doing really well and who does have that ability to put crosses into the box, and he chips in with a goal.

“But there is nothing we can do about it. I feel for him because he has stepped up this season. He has had a few niggling injuries – he had a problem with his ankle in the summer, then it was his knee then he has had his ankle again.

“Yes, we will miss him out of the squad, for sure.”

However, asked if he believes Lawrence will return this season to help his side complete their promotion push, McCarthy was upbeat.

“Yes I do, once we get it sorted out,” he said. “It’s difficult to say. When people are having operations on an ankle, you can put your own time limit on it.”

McCarthy at least has better news on striker Kevin Kyle. The Scottish international has seen his season to date written off by a hip cartilage problem which also required surgery but has now returned to training.