Sunderland midfielder Dan Neil has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Neil, 22, is one of the few who’ve managed to go the last (almost) two seasons without injury.
He featured 47 times in Championship fixtures last time round and racked up 42 in this current campaign, before an ankle injury ruled him out for the final run-in.
The Sunderland academy man missed the last outing, a 1-0 defeat at home to Millwall, with an ankle injury.
Dan Neil ruled out for the remainder of the season at Sunderland
Neil was surprisingly left out of the Sunderland side that faced Millwall last time out.
The club later confirmed that Neil would miss the final three games, the Millwall game included, after picking up an ankle injury in training.
The club also confirmed that Neil would begin his rehab and re-join first-team training during pre-season.
Nick Barnes shares further Dan Neil injury update at Sunderland
And speaking on Total Sport ahead of Sunderland’s weekend clash away at Watford, BBC pundit Nick Barnes said:
“Dan Neil’s ankle injury is probably worse than we all thought initially, which means he might even be touch-and-go for the start of pre-season. It was quite a nasty injury, apparently.”
Neil is just one game away from making his 150th appearance for the club.
Along the way he’s scored 10 goals and has made 17 assists.
After the 0-0 draw away at Leeds United earlier this month, Dodds was full of praise for Neil, saying:
“Tactically Dan Neil is unbelievable – he’s my voice on the pitch. He doesn’t get enough credit for that – I’ve got nothing but praise for him.”
The summer ahead for Dan Neil
From a Sunderland viewpoint, Neil’s injury may not be the worse thing ever.
He was in fine form and attracting Premier League interest throughout the campaign, but him being injured now might deter clubs from making a summer move.
But not having him in the side is a blow for Dodds and a blow for Neil too, who would’ve been wanting to cap another action-packed season with the Black Cats.
He’s once again been ever-present in the midfield and he also seems to have really blossomed during two years playing in the Championship.
Neil seems to have really matured as a player quickly, becoming a really technical and tactical player, like Dodds’ above comments said.
His absence may give a chance for Corry Evans to start this weekend after the Northern Irishman made his return from injury against Millwall last time out.
And Evans starting could see Jobe Bellingham return to the no.9 position as he looks to stake a claim to be Sunderland’s leading scorer next time round.
Kick off at Watford is at 3pm on Saturday.