Fresh setback for Sunderland's McCartney

Sunderland defender George McCartney faces an operation and up to three months on the sidelines after damaging his hamstring again.

The 24-year-old had been back in full training and was on course to play against Manchester United reserves tomorrow when his hamstring tendon problem flared up as he tried to cross a ball.

McCartney was today visiting tendon specialist Dr Nic Maffuli at the North Staffordshire Infirmary to ascertain the best course of action.

“I’ve had this problem about 10 months now and although I managed to keep playing last season it just keeps coming back,” McCartney told the club’s official website, www.safc.com.

“I’ve been having injections in the injury and they haven’t worked. An operation was always the last resort but if that is what it comes down to then at least it should solve the problem once and for all.

“The difficulty is that it will mean another two or three months out.”