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Sunderland Suffer Habib Diarra Injury Blow As Régis Le Bris Issues Update Ahead Of Brentford
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- Sunderland Suffer Habib Diarra Injury Blow As Régis Le Bris Issues Update Ahead Of Brentford
Sunderland midfielder Habib Diarra suffers major injury blow ahead of Brentford
Sunderland boss Régis Le Bris has revealed that he will be without central midfielder Habib Diarra for six to eight weeks following his injury against Fulham last time out, which will see him sidelined for Saturday's trip to Brentford.
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Diarra did not start Sunderland's 1-0 win over Fulham , but was brought on as a second-half substitute by Le Bris and made a massive positive impact, injecting much-needed impetus into his side's attacking play.
His cameo climaxed by tearing down the right flank before laying an inch-perfect cross into the path of Wilson Isidor, who fired home the winner for Sunderland, but the Senegelase international was forced off shortly after with a hamstring concern.
Now, ahead of the Brentford visit, Le Bris has detailed the timescale and severity of Diarra's injury.
Granit Xhaka celebrates with Habib Diarra after Wilson Isidor's goal against Fulham (REUTERS)
Régis Le Bris Explains Habib Diarra Sunderland Injury
In his pre-Brentford press conference, as quoted by the Sunderland Echo , Le Bris explained the timescale on Diarra's injury and shared their frustrations at the disappointing setback.
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Le Bris said: "Habib, it's a shame because I was so pleased with his pre-season and he's getting more mature about his game, about clarity on the pitch, about his qualities and how they fit with the demand of the Premier League.
"The proof was against Fulham. When he came on the pitch, he was a beast and changed the pace of the game.
"So he will wait, I think, six to eight weeks with his new injury. So it's a shame, but it is what it is, and we'll take care of him until early October,
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"We are frustrated, he is frustrated, so it is what it is, and we need to accept it."
Therefore, Diarra's period on the Sunderland sidelines will begin with this weekend's trip to the Gtech Community Stadium and extend through the September and October schedule, which will see last summer's £30m signing from Strasbourg miss the Black Cats' early Europa League fixtures.
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For Diarra, it is yet another unfortunate injury blow, with his debut season for Sunderland last year hampered by setbacks that inhibited the dynamic midfielder from showcasing his true talents and potential on a consistent basis.
Diarra Showed Promise For Important Sunderland Role
As Diarra showed on Sunday with his short yet sweet cameo against Fulham, his pace and power to drive in behind the defence down the right flank was difficult for the opposition to contend with, and that could have made Diarra an option for the right-midfield role in Le Bris' side.
With Sunderland's summer transfer window business seeing the club miss out on signing a marquee recruit for the right side of attack, with Malick Fofana bought from Lyon for £31m for the left-wing, it leaves a vacancy in Le Bris' attack.
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Now, the likes of trademark right-back Trai Hume, Nilson Angulo, Chemsdine Talbi, and Jocelin Ta Bi will be in contention for the role, but it is unfortunate for Diarra given that he proved to be brilliant in this position and that his injury has hampered a potential consistent and fruitful run in the Sunderland side on the right flank.
