Sunderland, who are already dealing with crucial defender injuries, have been given another blow with the announcement that Jenson Seelt will be out for an extended period of time.
The 20-year-old Dutchman stated in a social media post that he suffered a knee injury against Southampton, which “taken me by surprise”. Seelt has played 17 games for Sunderland this season. Since joining Dutch club PSV Eindhoven in the summer, he has started 11 games, but he now appears unlikely to play again this season.
“I’m gutted to share the news,” the centre-back wrote on Instagram. “I shall be out for an extended amount of time. For the time being, I must concentrate on my recuperation and do all possible to return better and stronger than before. All obstacles in life contain lessons and opportunities to change them into positive outcomes.”
Sunderland’s defensive crisis has therefore worsened. It leaves interim manager Mike Dodds with only one available center-back for Saturday’s home game against QPR.
Seelt has been called upon in recent games, as Dan Ballard and Luke O’Nien have both served suspensions. Aji Alese, Dennis Cirkin, and Niall Huggins are long-term absentees. Ballard was forced off against Southampton last week with a hamstring injury, and he is expected to miss the Rangers game, as is O’Nien, who remains suspended.
Leo Hjelde is the Black Cats’ sole fit acknowledged centre-back as they attempt to end a six-game losing streak. Since joining from Leeds United in January, Norwegian Hjelde has played as a left back.
Given the new developments, he may have to move inside as Dodds seeks his first point in command on the fifth attempt after taking over the interim post for the third time. Sunderland have lost their spark in recent games with players like Jack Clarke and Patrick Roberts out injured, and their defending has been poor even when players are available.
The Black Cats have had a very dismal season, falling ominously out of play-off contention in recent weeks. They are 11 points below the top six and only nine above the relegation zone, and they desperately need a ‘pick me up’ against the Londoners this weekend.
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