Granit Xhaka was absent from the matchday squad in Sunderland's sobering defeat to relegation stragglers West Ham United.
Looking on in frustration from the bench in East London, he was also eventually involved in a heated confrontation with a home supporter.
The Sunderland captain will miss at least the next three Premier League fixtures through injury, consisting of Burnley, Arsenal, and Liverpool, with the fixture against The Gunners to be held at his former stomping ground, the Emirates.
A promoted side would be scratching their heads for solutions if their marquee summer signing was sidelined, but Sunderland are in a healthy Premier League position on their own merit.
In their return to the top flight after an eight-year absence, they now find themselves on 33 points from 23 league matches, successfully bucking the trend of all three promoted sides reinforcing a gulf between England’s top two divisions.
Largely facilitated by their transfer spree in the summer, which gave them a fresh look and added essential quality, Sunderland’s initial targets have nearly been realised.
The haul of 40 points has been regarded as the safety net to remain afloat in the Premier League, and The Black Cats are seven points shy of that number already.
Xhaka’s impact for a £13 million signing from Bayer Leverkusen has eclipsed a plethora of individuals who arrived in the Premier League with even greater expectations attached to them.
Fortunately, with Noah Sadiki back from the African Cup of Nations, the 21-year-old can plug the gap in the Sunderland midfield.
He will likely be accompanied by Enzo Le Fee, but Habib Diarra’s minutes may start to gradually increase as he gets back up to speed with Premier League football following his injury layoff.
The trio of Sadiki, Xhaka, and Diarra started the season punching above their weight, since they had been thrown together with no experience playing together and little time to acclimatise.
They complemented each other effortlessly and encapsulated the energy Sunderland always bring on and off the pitch, especially at the Stadium of Light.
That midfield will likely be re-established sooner than later, but Sunderland have coped when Le Bris has had to adjust his personnel in midfield.
Sunderland remain the only unbeaten team in the Premier League at home with Arsenal falling to Manchester United last weekend.
The other side of the coin, though, is their below par form when it comes to playing matches on the road, and also their capacity to score goals.
Winger **Bertrand Traore**’s rehabilitation period will operate on a similar timeframe to Xhaka’s, but **Brian Brobbey**’s noticeable impact leading the Sunderland line will continue to be a valuable asset.
The enforced starter and youngster, Romaine Mundle, will have to get to grips with the rigours of the Premier League on the left wing in Traore’s absence.
Unless, Le Bris does decide to reinstate Simon Adingra more regularly. The Ivory Coast international has been left out of the last two Premier League ties with Mundle given the nod over him.
Doubts filled the air over Sunderland maintaining their hot streak of victories in the opening stages of the season just as quick as people applauded their competitive performances.
Entering the back end of the campaign, they may have secured a second season in the top flight by staying well clear of the relegation zone.
There is the danger, however, of them plummeting should they not direct their energy to a new objective.
Looking over their shoulders at those behind them is a position they would have dreamed about after their dramatic promotion via the play-offs.
Yet, aiming higher and ensuring they solidify a mid-table finish will be a major stepping stone to longer-term stability in the division that the Sunderland faithful have sorely missed.
To remain consistent will be a gruelling task, but the well-assembled squad can certainly stand their ground and get results.
A mid-table Premier League finish would make their credibility as suitors more convincing, generate greater attraction for prospective players of serious quality, and could set them up to reach greater heights.
Xhaka’s spell on the sidelines, albeit thankfully a short-term absence, will drag and perhaps be noticeable at times with a void of leadership and managing momentum.
Even if they come out the other side of Xhaka’s absence empty-handed, they need to find an incentive to kick on and avoid dropping down places in the standings.