Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey picked up a hamstring injury while representing the Netherlands in their Nations League clash with Germany on Tuesday night. The 24-year-old will return to Sunderland for further scans and diagnosis after the draw, according to Xavi.
The extent of the injury is unclear at this stage, but it did not look good for the forward. In the worst-case scenario, Sunderland could be without their bruising striker for months while they balance European football and domestic competitions.
Key player for Le Bris
Brobbey was just hitting his stride after scoring a hat-trick against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. He plays a key role in how Regis Le Bris sets up his side, and the Black Cats boss will be hoping the injury is not as bad as it first appeared, though that will become clearer in the coming days and weeks.
The injury has reignited a conversation about the amount of international fixtures in the modern game. Players have already pulled out of their respective nations to manage their fitness just a few weeks into the new season.
Nations League under scrutiny
While international coaches may get an opportunity to try new things and see new players in action, the Nations League is nothing more than a glorified friendly with little else on the line. There is a call to reduce the number of pointless international games, especially given the next major tournament is two years out and the World Cup was just a few months ago.
There will be no scientific evidence that Brobbey's injury was down to a congested fixture list, with player load regularly managed by clubs and a clear desire by some to represent their countries. Maybe Brobbey would still have picked up the injury had the current round of international fixtures not taken place.
Silver lining for Sunderland
Sunderland will be hoping Wilson Isidor and Juan Riquelme Angulo both come back from their international camps unscathed. Isidor was in fine form for Haiti, registering two assists before scoring a dramatic 97th-minute winner against Trinidad and Tobago.
The 26-year-old has already opened his account for Sunderland this season while playing understudy to Brobbey in the Premier League. He should be full of confidence when he returns to Wearside in a few weeks.
Angulo was given his first senior cap for Ecuador and continues his impressive ascent in world football. The summer signing hasn't been seen much by supporters given a delay to his work permit application, but he did feature for the U21s prior to jetting off with his country.
Sunderland believe they've signed a real gem for the future, hence the reason they pushed through with the transfer when his former club Independiente del Valle tried to keep him until the end of their domestic campaign at the end of the year. The 6ft 4in, 18-year-old is raw, but there's an exciting talent in there and he may get his opportunity sooner rather than later after Brobbey's setback.
Sunderland have a kinder fixture list when they return from the international break, but there will be a few prayers and fingers crossed that there are no more injuries in the next fortnight.
