Asamoah Gyan Absence Leaves Sunderland Limping

Asamoah Gyan has been ruled out for the rest of the season by Sunderland

Coach Steve Bruce admits Sunderland will have to limp to the end of the season without their Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan.

The Black Cats are without a recognised striker despite his patched-up attack failing to fire in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Fulham.

Asamoah Gyan, Danny Welbeck and Fraizer Campbell are all nursing long-term injuries, while even reserve players Ryan Noble and Billy Knott were unable to face the Cottagers after picking up problems of their own in the week.

The latter duo could feature in the remaining three matches against Bolton, Wolves and West Ham, but neither Gyan, Welbeck nor Campbell are expected to be available before the end of the campaign.

As a result, Bruce will have to rely on the likes of Stephane Sessegnon and Steed Malbranque, who were unable to make a breakthrough as the Black Cats slumped to their ninth defeat in the last 11 matches at the weekend.

“Fraizer’s definitely out, and I can’t see Asamoah or Danny playing either,” said an understandably downbeat Sunderland boss. “They both suffered hamstring injuries last weekend and what have we got left, three weeks? I can’t see it.

“We’re going to have to show a bit of resilience, roll our sleeves up and have a go. We can all feel sorry for ourselves, but this league doesn’t feel sorry for you.

“What’s happened has happened and we’ve got to bite the bullet and fight the flak that will come our way again this week. We’ve got to get on with it and get a couple of results because you just never know. We might need another couple of points yet.”

While Blackburn’s 1-0 win over Bolton took them to within three points of the Black Cats, Bruce’s side remain six points clear of the relegation zone with three matches remaining.