David Moyes has backed Paddy McNair to return to action stronger than ever after admitting the midfielder's season is over.
The 21-year-old has been growing into his role at the club and starred in a 2-1 EFL Cup win over Queens Park Rangers in September, netting two goals to rescue the Black Cats and seal a fourth-round berth.
However, McNair’s season was cruelly cut short on Saturday when he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during a 3-0 win over Hull City at the Stadium of Light.
And speaking to safc.com, Moyes admitted the news comes as a big disappointment to the Northern Ireland international, and the team.
“Paddy was starting to understand more about the club, the supporters and also the general game, so it’s a real shame for the boy.
“He’s really keen to do well and he works really hard at his game to try and improve, so we’re incredibly disappointed because we want to try and build a young team going forward and Paddy was part of that.”
He continued: “I think he'd just started to find his way in the Premier League - even though he had experience at Manchester United - and the games he was having were bringing him on and giving him confidence.
“He probably won’t have his operation for over a week because he’s got a cut on his knee and they can’t operate while there is an open wound, so we have to wait until that heals so it might be a week or two.
“We won’t see him again this season and all we can hope is getting him right for the start of next season."