Michael Beale has issued a fresh update on Patrick Roberts after he suffered an injury in Sunderland’s 1-1 draw against Rotherham United.
Patrick Roberts has had a difficult season at Sunderland despite signing a new contract in November.
The 26-year-old has been a regular on the right side but has unable to live up to the expectations set by his performance levels last season.
He has yet to score and has only contributed one assist in 23 Championship games, which is significantly below the heights he is expected to produce.
Roberts, dubbed’magic’ by previous manager Tony Mowbray, was instrumental in Sunderland’s progress to the play-offs last season, scoring five goals and providing seven assists, including the critical injury-time equalizer against Watford in April.
While it was his last goal in red and white, the £7k-a-week genius is capable of creating the telling quality in the last third, and he’s showed glimpses of it in Michael Beale’s early reign.
Beale delivered a good report on his injuries on Friday night, and now the 43-year-old has provided another update on his fitness.
Patrick Roberts is still an injury doubt for Newcastle clash
With a big FA Cup encounter against Newcastle coming up next weekend, Beale wants all of his key players available, and Roberts is one he’s not sure will be available.
“We’ll have to see,” he told the Sunderland Echo after his team’s win over Preston North End.
“We’re a little unaware of him right now; obviously, during the holiday season, it’s not as easy to get scans and results, so we’re still waiting.” We don’t know if he’ll be available for Newcastle; I’ll update you the next time I speak with you.”
Who will step up in Roberts place?
Patrick Roberts did not play in their 2-0 victory over Preston on New Year’s Day, but Alex Pritchard scored and impressed from the right wing.
Abdoullah Ba replaced the Englishman after a quarter-hour in the 1-1 draw with Rotherham, but the Frenchman has looked ‘particularly terrible’ in recent weeks.
Indeed, Beale chose Pritchard as a playmaker from the right, with the freedom to drift infield and create opportunities in the center.
The 30-year-old, whose contract ends in June, shone in the win and is now untouchable ahead of the Newcastle game.
If Roberts is deemed fit in time, Beale will have a selection dilemma, having to choose between the pace of Roberts and the technical acumen of Pritchard.
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