Sunderland make Europa League squad swap amid injury blow

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has revealed that Chemsdine Talbi has replaced Habib Diarra in the Black Cats' Europa League squad ahead of Thursday evening's home clash against Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb.

Le Bris has confirmed that Diarra will be out for at least six weeks after suffering yet another unfortunate injury setback at Sunderland, with the Black Cats bringing in Moroccan winger Talbi to replace him courtesy of UEFA's rules.

In his pre-match press conference, Le Bris said: "Habib sustained a hamstring injury in training and will face a spell on the sidelines.

"For Habib, probably around six weeks from the first diagnosis. We are sad for him.

"Chemsdine is back in our Europa League squad...".

It is another blow in Diarra's injury-blighted Black Cats career, but the positve change with attacking outlet Talbi will be a boost to the Sunderland boss' attacking options against Zagreb on Thursday night.