Sunderland Football Club News

• Nickname:Black Cats
• Founded:1879
• Manager:Martin O'Neill

• Ground:Stadium of light
• Capacity:48,353

Skipper blow stuns Cats

29 Aug 2007 - 08:41:11

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Sunderland captain Dean Whitehead has been ruled out for six months with a cruciate knee ligament injury.

The 25-year-old midfielder damaged his knee during the Black Cats' 2-2 draw with Birmingham City earlier this month and was expected to miss around six weeks with minor ligament damage.

But disappointed manager Roy Keane has now revealed his skipper will be missing until the spring.

Speaking after Sunderland were dumped out of the Carling Cup at the second round stage by League One side Luton Town on Tuesday evening, Keane told the club's official website: "It looks as though Deano will need surgery in a couple of weeks.

"It looks like it's a cruciate, so that would rule him out for six or seven months. It's been a bad day.

"It's a bitter blow for Deano and for us. We are missing his leadership qualities and his presence."

Speaking about the surprise 3-0 defeat at Kenilworth Road, he added: "It's a massive disappointment - the biggest since I took the job.

"I've only been a manager two minutes. It's how you respond to it. We're all disappointed - the players, the supporters, myself and the staff.

"We didn't do the basics right and we got punished for it. We've just got to reflect on the game, but if you don't do the basics you're never going to win a game of football.

"It was one of those nights and we need to wipe it out of the memory as quickly as possible. We've a tough game on Saturday and it's just a case of making sure we get the right team."