Sunderland goalkeeper Lee Burge doubtful for Southend game

Posted Thursday, October 31, 2019 by PA

Sunderland will check on the fitness of goalkeeper Lee Burge ahead of their home game against Southend.

Burge suffered a hip flexor injury while taking a goal kick in the defeat at Shrewsbury. While the club are hopeful the problem is not serious, Jon McLaughlin played in the Carabao Cup loss at Oxford and he could keep the gloves on Saturday.

Luke O’Nien, Chris Maguire, Duncan Watmore and Will Grigg are expected to return to the team after not starting against Oxford in midweek.

Midfielder Lynden Gooch and striker Charlie Wyke both remain sidelined by ankle injuries.

Defender Harry Lennon returns to contention for Southend after serving a one-match ban.

However, midfielders Ethan Hamilton and Stephen Mclaughlin remain unavailable as they both serve three-game suspensions.

Sol Campbell’s first match as Shrimpers boss ended in a 3-1 home defeat to Ipswich but the former England defender said he took plenty of positives from the performance and few changes are expected.

Experienced defender Liam Ridgewell should soon return to contention after a calf strain, but John White, Sam Mantoum and Charlie Kelman are still out.