Sunderland suffer fresh injury concern as Nazariy Rusyn absence explained

Nazariy Rusyn was a mysterious absentee for Sunderland against Huddersfield, and Tony Mowbray has explained why.

Sunderland appear to have suffered a fresh injury blow with Tony Mowbray confirming that Nazariy Rusyn missed the defeat to Huddersfield due to a groin strain.

Rusyn started the previous four matches for Sunderland but was not even on the bench for the visit of Darren Moore’s men, who came away from the Stadium of Light with a 2-1 win.

Eliezer Mayenda started instead and both Mason Burstow and Luis Hemir finished the match after coming on as second-half substitutes, but none of them were able to get on the scoresheet.

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That prompted questions about whether Mowbray will shake things up again at the New Den on Saturday, but he has revealed that his options may be limited.

When asked if he will make changes up front for the trip to Millwall, Mowbray said: "It depends who's fit.

"Rusyn was injured tonight, he had a groin strain. Hemir is a young boy who needs to get up to speed. Maybe he needs an opportunity but maybe at home against the right team.

“He doesn't knock on my door every day wanting to know why he isn't playing because I think he can feel it in training.

"Mayenda has not played much football, he's been injured for a long time. We have to be careful in these three game weeks, it's not easy to play again so soon.

“We'll assess who is going to be fit and available."

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