Friday 12 August 2016 14:22, UK
Sunderland midfielder Sebastian Larsson has been ruled out for six months, Black Cats manager David Moyes has revealed.
Moyes, who was appointed as Sam Allardyce's successor on July 23, says Larsson will spend a prolonged period on the sidelines after picking up a frayed knee ligament injury picked up in training.
"Seb Larsson has had an operation, which will keep him out for five to six months," Moyes revealed in his pre-match press conference as they are set to play their opening Premier League game against Manchester City on Saturday evening.
"We would have struggled to field an eleven of experienced players. We are happy to put out some of the youngsters, and some will be on the bench and some will play."
The injury comes as the latest blow to Sunderland's preparations for the new season with four first-team players - Lee Cattermole, Jan Kirchhoff, Billy Jones and now Larsson - all sidelined.
Larsson has been a regular starter for Sunderland since joining the club in June 2011. He has made 134 appearances for the club in total and featured in 18 of their league matches during the 2015/16 campaign.
