One Sunderland player is now likely to have played his last game under Mike Dodds.
Mike Dodds has now been in charge of Sunderland for five weeks now, picking up only a single point from his first seven games.
The 37-year-old’s third time at the helm certainly hasn’t gone quite as planned as the first, having led the Black Cats to consecutive wins over West Brom and Leeds United in December.
Dodds has endured a number of key injuries to the side since the turn of the year though, with Dan Ballard and Luke O’Nien only managing one game together under the coach.
While he will be boosted by the returns of Corry Evans, Aji Alese and Bradley Dack after the international break, he may not even get the chance to play one player who had particularly impressed earlier in the campaign.
Niall Huggins’ agent, Ian Harte, has now issued an update on the defender’s injury.
Speaking to Sunderland Echo, Harte said: “Niall is doing well.
“Obviously, it is going to be a longer journey for Niall but I think the fans can see how good he was when he was playing in the team. He gets up and down that pitch. He is dynamic and you can play him at left-back and right-back.
“I think for Niall it is going to be a longer process but everyone will be excited to see him when he is back but unfortunately he won’t be back before the end of the season.”
Niall Huggins hasn’t actually played under Mike Dodds this time round, having picked up his injury in the defeat to Coventry City before Christmas. However, he did play the full 90 minutes in each of the wins under the interim coach in December.
The extent of the Welshman’s injury now means he is unlikely to play under Dodds again, as a permanent replacement is expected to arrive at the end of the campaign.
Huggins will then be tasked with fighting for his place in the starting line-up once again, as he enters the final 12 months of his contract.
Sunderland don’t need to keep all four left-backs
Sunderland could have Leo Hjelde, Aji Alese, Dennis Cirkin and Huggins at their disposal in the summer, but the injury record of the latter three could prove to be a real problem.
Alese and Cirkin have already extended their contracts at the Stadium of Light, so I do think the Black Cats could perhaps think about offloading Huggins permanently.
The 23-year-old did really impress after establishing himself as first choice before his injury, but this is the third time he has spent a lengthy period on the sidelines since joining the club in 2021.
Sunderland could still earn themselves a decent fee if they sell him this summer, while it doesn’t seem worth the risk of keeping hold of him when he could get injured again then eventually leave for free.