Jan Kirchhoff has been ruled out of Sunderland’s Premier League match against Watford this weekend.
Making only his third appearance since recovering from a hamstring injury, the German midfielder suffered a cartilage tear in his knee during Wednesday’s defeat to league-leaders Chelsea at the Stadium of Light.
Kirchhoff’s omission means he has joined Lee Cattermole, Lynden Gooch, Paddy McNair and Duncan Watmore in the treatment room.
Speaking at his pre-Watford press conference, David Moyes was unable to confirm the length of time the former Bayern Munich man will be out for, but admitted it was another huge blow to the team.
Moyes has also provided an update over the fitness of Victor Anichebe and Steven Pienaar after the pair missed Wednesday’s match.
“Victor and Steven are improving,” he said. “We will make a late call tomorrow to see how they are along with Javier Manquillo.
“We will wait and see but unfortunately Jan Kirchhoff tore his cartilage against Chelsea. He tore his lateral meniscus so that is a real blow for us as well.”
He continued: “It’s a blow because there’s nothing short while about these. It’s not like they are out for a week but that’s the way it has been and we will move on again.”
