Tony Mowbray has delivered a team news update as we resume battle with Fulham at the Stadium of Light, with a place in the last 16 of the Emirates FA Cup at stake.
The Head Coach confirmed Dennis Cirkin will be absent due to concussion protocols following his head injury sustained whilst scoring our equaliser at Millwall on Saturday.
Joe Gelhardt, Joe Anderson and Isaac Lihadji are also unable to feature as they were not registered in time for the original tie at Craven Cottage – Pierre Ekwah however is available.
“Gelhardt can’t play, he wasn’t registered for this game,” said Mowbray.
“We have to find a way as we did for three months when I first arrived. We will hopefully have an attacking force that, when we have the ball on the pitch, they can ask questions of them and we can try and threaten their goal.
“It’s not as easy without a noted centre forward who likes to play down the middle and wants to play forward. We want to try and threaten their goal and see if we can win the game.”
The more positive news is that Luke O’Nien has completed his three-match suspension and is in contention to return on Wearside, whilst a number of youngsters are likely to participate in the matchday squad with a maximum of nine substitute spots available.