Sunderland have lost Lee Cattermole for at least 12 weeks after scans revealed that the midfield enforcer had suffered knee ligament damage.
For fantasy managers, the news isn’t perhaps quite so significant. Cattermole has however, been vital to Sunderland’s impressive start to the season and his absence from the engine room is likely to have an influence at both ends of the pitch. We should expect Steve Bruce’s defence to enjoy less protection in the coming months then, while in attacking terms, Sunderland will have to adjust without Cattermole’s drive from the centre of the park.
Steve Bruce has a number of contenders to fill Cattermole’s role – although none of them look a perfect fit…
Boudewijn Zenden has the experience to slot straight into the side. He agreed a permanent deal with the Black Cats only last week, with Bruce remarking that his versatility offered options in a central midfield role as well as on the flank. Zenden could come straight into the side at Birmingham then, to present us a new fantasy option. Zenden replaced Cattermole against Liverpool on Saturday. The Dutchman is available as a budget midfielder, with a 5.0 price tag in the Fantasy Premier League game. Zenden has Premier League experience but is a very different player to Cattermole and will doubtless take time to adjust to the pace once again. Should he start, his presence on the pitch could take some set-piece responsibilities from recent fantasy favourite, Andy Reid.
Kieran Richardson, suspended for the Liveprool game, is another midfield option, although early reports suggest that Bruce will go instead for young Jordan Henderson. He came off the bench to take a central midfield role when McCartney was subbed on Saturday, shifting Cana back to defence; evidence of the confidence that Bruce has in the youngster. Henderson is currently available for just 4.5 in the FPL.
In other injury news from the Stadium of Light, reports on Kenwyne Jones were far more positive. His ankle injury, sustained against Liveprool, will not keep him out for a lengthy period but he remains a doubt for the St Andrews trip at the weekend.