Manager on skipper injury.

Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill was forced into making an early change in the home clash with QPR after captain Lee Cattermole picked up a knock.

The skipper was withdrawn from the goalless draw after just six minutes following an injury to his knee.

O’Neill conceded: “We lost the captain tonight to injury. We’re having a few blows at the minute.

“It was a blocked tackle and he’s actually injured his other knee.”

The manager continued: “He’s in a lot of pain at the moment and it does sum up our luck at present but we’ve got to ride through it."