Sunderland sporting director explains how they will replace the injured Corry Evans

Corry Evans is out for the season, but Kristjaan Speakman believes they can cope.

Author:
Michael Graham
Publish date:
Feb 2, 2023 6:39 PM EST

Kristjaan Speakman says he believes Sunderland already have the midfield players to cope with the loss of Corry Evans.

Evans won’t play again this season after damaging his anterior cruciate ligament against Middlesbrough. There is a very good chance he will be out a few months into next season too.

Sunderland opted not to bring in an experienced replacement for Evans in the transfer deadline, although they did swell their midfield ranks by bringing Pierre Ekwah in from West Ham.

And, it is Ekwah, Edouard Michut and Dan Neil that Speakman is expecting to fill the void left by Evans from a tactical point of view if admittedly not a leadership one.

“Edouard has played the majority of his career as a six/eight and Dan has done that job incredibly well of late,” Speakman told the Sunderland Echo.

“These players have got to evolve and take on that responsibility.

“We’re trying to grow and evolve, and we’ve got to give these opportunities. There is definitely risk in that - we accept that.

“Pierre can absolutely play in a defensive midfield role, though we accept he’s starting out in his professional career.

“Our structure is designed to get in these players and give them chances. We’ve got to keep believing and trusting in these players, who have performed really well and brought us so far.”

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