Cats rue Richardson blow
05 Feb 2008 - 14:29:29
Sunderland will be without Kieran Richardson for Saturday's crunch meeting with Wigan Athletic after scans confirmed the midfielder has suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury.
The former Manchester United starlet limped off after just seven minutes of last weekend's 3-0 defeat at Liverpool.
Richardson had only just returned to the starting line-up after missing the recent games against Tottenham and Birmingham City with a hamstring problem.
The 23-year-old could now face an extended spell on the sidelines as he continues an injury-plagued start to life on Wearside.
The England international has made only nine appearances for the Black Cats following his £5.5million summer arrival from Old Trafford.
"It's the same injury that he had before," manager Roy Keane told the club's official website.
"He'd trained well all week but match situations are different, it's disappointing."
Meanwhile, Keane will be boosted by the return of midfielder Dickson Etuhu for the weekend relegation showdown.
The Nigeria international is due back on Wearside following the end of his country's Africa Cup of Nations challenge.