The Sunderland defender was forced off in the first half and later sent a defiant message on social media as Régis Le Bris confirmed fresh injury concerns
Nordi Mukiele has issued a defiant message after being forced off during Sunderland’s defeat to Fulham at the Stadium of Light.
Mukiele went down in the first half and initially attempted to run off the problem before eventually being withdrawn, adding to what head coach Régis Le Bris later described as a “tough day” on the injury front.
Le Bris admitted after the match that he could be facing as many as five fresh injury concerns following the 3-1 defeat. Dennis Cirkin had already been ruled out prior to kick-off with what the head coach described as a minor issue, while Reinildo is currently sidelined with a knee injury expected to keep him out for around a month.
During the contest, both Mukiele and Jocelin Ta Bi were forced off in the first half. Le Bris also revealed concerns over Brian Brobbey and Romaine Mundle, with Brobbey going down shortly before being substituted and Mundle leaving the pitch with the physio at full-time.
Taking to Instagram after the game, summer signing Mukiele posted an image of himself receiving treatment on the pitch and hinted that it could be an extended period on the sidelines for the defender: “Doesn’t matter how long it will takes... I promise you one thing: I WILL BE BACK STRONGER.”
After the game against Fulham, Le Bris added: “It’s a bit early to say, so we had Nordi, Jocelin, Brian, maybe Romaine as well, so it was a tough day. Dennis also missed the game with an injury so at the minute it's a tough period, but it is what it is, we have to accept it and move forward.”
Le Bris felt key moments ultimately decided the match, pointing to clinical finishing and set-piece situations as decisive factors. “A tough day because it's a defeat at home, key moments defined this game,” he said. “We had the opportunity during the second half to score and just after, they scored twice on set pieces.
“Probably our first half wasn't controlled enough, we struggled to find the right rhythm. We got two injuries, which didn't help. But we were probably a bit sloppy, lacked quality with the ball and we didn't control this part of the game properly. I think the reaction at the beginning of the second half was good, but it was a reaction.
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“And after that, just key moments, like in the Premier League. We had a strong opponent, they had the quality to score when it's on. We felt the quality in the first half but didn't express it really. So the intention, the lads were positive about their intentions, but we struggled to find the right way to express it. Key moments [define the game], it's really clear. He was disappointed, like the squad I think and us in general. It is what it is, we have to accept it and move forward.”
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