Dion Sanderson out for the season in crushing blow for promotion-seeking Sunderland

Roker Report understands from multiple sources close to the club that the back injury to Sunderland’s Dion Sanderson, which according to Lee Johnson, quoted in the Sunderland Echo, has been troubling him all week, may be more serious than first thought and is likely to keep him out of the side for the remainder of the season.

If confirmed at Johnson’s pre-match press conference tomorrow, it will be a crushing blow to the Black Cat’s promotion hopes with six games of the regular season and three playoff matches potentially ahead of us.

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The 21-year-old loanee from Wolverhampton Wanderers been a star performer since his introduction into the side, attracting praise from fans and pundits alike for his quality on the ball and in the air as well as his enthusiasm and professional attitude.

Sunderland’s options in the centre of defence this season have been severely limited following a string of injuries to Bailey Wright, Jordan Willis, Tom Flanagan and Arbenit Xhemajli, leaving Sanderson to partner the versatile Luke O’Nien for much of Johnson’s time on Wearside.