Dennis Cirkin is strongly uncertain to play in Sunderland’s upcoming match against Plymouth Argyle this weekend, as per reports from the Sunderland Echo. The defender may be sidelined for several games due to an injury. In recent seasons, Cirkin had been a consistent presence in the Black Cats’ lineup and faced minimal competition from Niall Huggins at the beginning of the current season.
Despite initially losing his spot due to a hamstring injury in September, Cirkin was expected to return to the team for the match against Birmingham City, given the suspensions of Dan Ballard and Luke O’Nien. However, after making a few substitute appearances, the 21-year-old was included in the starting lineup but had to be withdrawn during the warm-up due to another hamstring injury.
Following the game, manager Tony Mowbray explained, “Ultimately, it’s his hamstring. He trained yesterday and said that he felt it after training. When he woke up this morning it felt fine, good – so we decided to push on.”
“He then did the warm-up and said he could feel it again, so we didn’t want to risk it.” He’ll undergo a scan tomorrow and we’ll see what the results are. It’s clearly frustrating for us, but it’s fantastic for Nectar [Triantis].”
Cirkin has had two weeks off owing to the international break, but he is still unlikely to play against Plymouth. According to the article, he is also a huge doubt for ‘those [games] that follow’.
Can Dennis Cirkin win his place back in the Sunderland squad?
Given the recurrence of his previous injury, there’s a possibility that Dennis Cirkin may not make a comeback until 2024. This is disappointing news for the full-back, especially considering his outstanding performance this year, including a crucial brace against West Brom in April that contributed to their playoff push.
Cirkin was likely determined to reclaim his spot in the team, especially during the Christmas period, which could have been an opportune time. However, his return faces a significant challenge if it’s delayed until the new year.
Despite my appreciation for Niall Huggins, Cirkin is a more well-rounded player, and his absence is certainly felt. The 22-year-old teammate is a decent alternative, but Cirkin’s skills and contributions are missed in the lineup.
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