Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey was forced off for the Netherlands against Germany due to a suspected hamstring injury.
Sunderland have been hit by an unfortunate and worrying injury blow with striker Brian Brobbey amidst the international break.
On Thursday evening, bullish number nine Brobbey started for the Netherlands against Germany in the UEFA Nations League meeting, but was forced off with a worrying injury after just 35 minutes.
The Dutchman was moving towards the ball before immediately pulling up and holding his hamstring with a painful expression, and limped off down the tunnel moments after following Felix Nmecha’s opener for Germany.
Sunderland went into the international break with a 5-3 defeat against Manchester City, in which Brobbey enjoyed an outstanding display with his hat-trick and mammoth centre-forward performance.
His seeming hamstring injury is a cruel blow for Sunderland and the Black Cats number nine given his importance to Regis Le Bris’ side as the attacking spearhead, and as a result of Brobbey getting off the mark for the season just days before his fearful injury woe.
Losing your standout striker is a monumental blow at any point of the season, but what makes the incident even more fearful for the Black Cats is their imperative upcoming run of fixtures of which their current top scorer for the season would be crucial for.
Brian Brobbey scores for Sunderland vs Manchester City before international break (REUTERS)Upcoming Sunderland Games Brian Brobbey May Miss Through Injury
The Germany clash was the Netherlands’ first match of the three-week long international break, with Barcelona legend Xavi’s side set to face Serbia twice and Greece.
From Sunderland’s perspective, Le Bris and the Stadium of Light hierarchy will be fearful of the outcome of Brobbey’s seeming hamstring issue, with the visit of in-form Brighton and Hove Albion first up for the Black Cats following the international break.
Following the Brighton clash, Sunderland journey to Portugal for their first Europa League away day of the season, facing Portuguese second-division side SCU Torreense.
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After that, trips to Bournemouth in the Premier League and Lech Poznan in the Europa League occur before Sunderland host Leeds United and Brentford later in October before concluding the month with a trip to struggling Coventry City.
Given the nature of hamstring injuries, which is the suspected issue Brobbey has suffered during Netherlands action but is yet unconfirmed by Sunderland, the bruising Black Cats forward could be sidelined for several weeks.
Therefore, this would leave Wilson Isidor as Le Bris’ only senior trademark striker within his ranks, with 18-year-old prospect Juan Riquelme Angulo yet to make his first-team debut for Sunderland following his £5m arrival late on deadline day.
The extent of Brobbey’s injury remains to be seen, and now those in Sunderland circles will be forced to play a nervous waiting game to see how the physically imposing frontman could be sidelined for.
