Monday 23 February 2015 11:45, UK
Sunderland midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini is to see a specialist this week amid concern he could miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury.
The 29-year-old has not featured since the FA Cup victory over Fulham on February 3, which was only his fourth appearance after returning from a three-month absence with the same problem.
Italy international Giaccherini, who signed from Juventus in 2013, has made just 11 appearances in total this season having also struggled with groin issues.
Manager Gus Poyet told the Sunderland Echo: “It doesn't look good. We are reassessing but we will get a full update this week.
“It’s the same injury he had before. I don't want to go further but it's not good. I hope the specialist opinion in the week is positive.”
Sunderland drew 0-0 with fellow strugglers West Brom on Saturday – a game in which they welcomed back influential midfielder Lee Cattermole from a 10-game injury lay-off.
And Poyet said: “At any level, you need different characters and, in special moments, you need them.
“I think Lee is one of them. He is very important in difficult moments.”
