Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce believes that the two-week break that Sunderland have between games has come at a perfect time for his squad as the injury list is starting to get longer.
Younes Kaboul, Jeremain Lens and Duncan Watmore are all currently out of action whilst new signing Jan Kirchhoff injured his hamstring in the 2-1 win over Manchester United.Added to that, Jermaine Defoe and Seb Larsson are also not 100% fit, so the chance to have a break from playing should also allow them time to get back to full fitness.Speaking to the Sunderland Echo about the break, Allardyce said:
The break has come at a good time because of the injuries. Lens has just had a hernia op. There’s Kaboul, Watmore and obviously Kirchhoff, who came off injured. Two weeks gives us a great opportunity to get people fit. Seb Larsson is making his way back. [Defoe will] be alright because we protected him by making sure we brought him off. Fatigue kicks in in the last 10 or 15 minutes and if you’ve had a fitness test on a hamstring, the last thing we wanted was him pulling up and being out for three or four weeks.
The Black Cats get an extended break due to their lack of involvement in the FA Cup fifth round and they will make the most of it by going to Dubai for some warm-weather training.The time at the Dubai Sports City training complex will give Allardyce the chance to work closely with his squad and integrate the new players ahead of a big few months for the club.
