Source: Northern_Echo
Welbeck may not play for Sunderland again
DANNY Welbeck's loan spell at Sunderland has effectively come to a premature end after the striker returned to Manchester to have scans on the hamstring injury sustained in Saturday's win over Wigan Athletic.[LNB] Black Cats boss Steve Bruce yesterday conceded that Welbeck, along with strike partner Asamoah Gyan, is unlikely to feature for the club again this season.[LNB] Both players had to be substituted on Saturday with hamstring problems, and while Gyan will be monitored by the medical staff at the Academy of Light, Welbeck has returned to parent club Manchester United for treatment.[LNB] The injuries are a huge blow for Bruce who will now have to contest the final four games of the season without any senior strikers at his disposal, making the weekend's result even more important.[LNB] The Wearsiders almost assured their Premier League safety with the 4-2 win over Roberto Martinez's side, but Bruce admits it came at a hefty price.[LNB] "We've lost Welbeck and Gyan and it's unlikely they'll play again this season," Bruce said.[LNB] "It's all over three weeks on Saturday. The collateral damage has been huge.[LNB] "The win was the most important thing for us on Saturday but, for me, it still doesn't hide the facts of the game.[LNB] "I had to make substitutions before half-time again and that's the big thing. We have to find out why.[LNB] "Yes we're back on track a little with the win but we've still only got 13 or 14 players training instead of 24, which is a sad situation."[LNB] Since Darren Bent's shock departure to Aston Villa in January, the Black Cats have relied on Welbeck and Gyan to deliver goals.[LNB] In particular, the man from Manchester United has been somewhat of a revelation since joining on a season-long loan, scoring six goals in 26 appearances.[LNB] His impressive form has even caught the eye of England boss Fabio Capello, who handed the 20-year-old a senior international debut in last month's friendly with Ghana at Wembley.[LNB] Bruce has made no secret of his desire to keep the Manchester-born striker on Wearside and has had a number of conversations with Sir Alex Ferguson about the possibility of signing the striker a permanent deal.[LNB] But with question marks over the futures of Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen at Old Trafford, Ferguson has made it clear Welbeck is in his plans for next season.[LNB] However, the Black Cats boss may try to re-sign Welbeck on another loan deal.[LNB] After missing a three-month spell at the turn of the year with a knee injury, Welbeck's latest injury set-back will be a blow to the 20-year-old who will be hoping to star for the England Under-21s at this summer's European Championships in Denmark.[LNB] As well as losing Welbeck and Gyan on Saturday, Bruce also watched defender Phil Bardsley stretchered off after a nasty clash of heads with Nedum Onuoha.[LNB] There were huge concerns for the versatile defender, who left the field wearing an oxygen mask, but the club are hopeful the Scotland international will be fit to face Fulham this Saturday.[LNB] With safety all but secured, the Black Cats will be keen to build on last weekend's result.[LNB]
