Sunderland midfielder Habib Diarra is set for an extended period on the sidelines, having undergone groin surgery, Afrosport reports.
The Senegal international sustained the issue during training before Sunday’s 1-1 against Aston Villa at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland on Monday revealed that the 21-year-old had successful surgery and is expected to be out until December.
Diarra sealed a club record £30 million summer move to Wearside from Strasbourg and featured in all four of their Premier League matches before the Villa game.
The Black Cats have enjoyed early success in their return to the top-flight after an eight-year absence, sitting seventh in the Premier League with eight points after five games.
Diarra is set to miss Saturday’s trip to Nottingham Forest and the visit to Manchester United on 4 October. He will also be unavailable for high-profile clashes against Chelsea on 25 October and Arsenal on 8 November, with his absence potentially extending to meetings with Liverpool, Manchester City, and local rivals Newcastle United in early December.
The midfielder, meanwhile, will miss Senegal’s upcoming World Cup qualifying fixtures, with the Teranga Lions facing South Sudan and Mauritania next month.
