McCartney out for six weeks

It looks like Steve Bruce`s decision to sell Danny Collins could prove costly.

First choice left back George McCartney picked up a hamstring injury in training with Northern Ireland on Friday, likely ruling him out of action for the next six weeks.

Sunderland`s only back up now is youngster Michael Liddle, who spent he second half of last season on loan at Carlisle. Other possibilities include moving Kieran Richardson to left back, as he has experience in the position with Manchester United, or playing Phil Bardsley on the left and having Nyron Nosworthy cover on the right side. However, neither move is ideal.

Teemu Tainio could have been another option prior to his loan move to Birmingham, but this is the situation many fans feared would happen.