Sunderland hit by Johnson injury blow

In a long season which is sure to be hard for Defoe and his team mates, and with the next two fixtures now being seen as crucial, they could prove to be pivotal for their confidence ahead of the rest of the season.

Johnson played all of Sunderland’s 4-2 defeat by Leicester on the opening day of the Premier League season.

“We have a attractive stadium and great fans”. We have to show that we can do much better.

“I think he is just biding his time, really, and hopefully it will be this weekend”.

“Every game is important”.

He added: “It is always nice to get off the mark early-doors, especially in the first game of the season”.

We’ll find out the full extent of Adam Johnson shoulder injury, that’s ruled him out for around 8 weeks, after he underwent further tests last night.

New signing Yann M’Vila is available, though, despite the midfielder being sent off while playing for Sunderland’s Under-21 side against Norwich last Sunday.

Sunderland host Norwich on Saturday, looking to get their campaign right back on track.

Nathan Redmond came off the bench to halve the deficit in that game, and the England Under-21 worldwide is more than ready for a starting berth should he be selected by boss Alex Neil. My last 90 was on the 24th of June.

“I have not really thought about it to be honest”, said Fletcher, who cost £12m when he joined from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2012.

Advocaat said: “You can’t lose the way we lost”.