Just days before he's scheduled to make his return to Wearside, a Sunderland star has been pulled out of training by his international side.
Sunderland concerned as player pulled out of training
The March international break is certainly one that splits opinion. It arrives at the absolute business end of the season and can lead to some of the most ill-timed injuries.
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It's why the majority of Arsenal's most important players have been hit with the same, rapidly recoverable, injury in the last seven days and why Sunderland may be wishing their players were hit with similar.
The final seven Premier League games could still lead the Black Cats to a stunning push for European football, and that would be one of the most impressive achievements by any side in English football this season.
As things stand, Regis Le Bris' side are just five points adrift of sixth-place Chelsea despite still sitting 11th - highlighting just how much drama there is still to come in the next two months.
Sunderland final 7 PL games
Sunderland vs Tottenham
Aston Villa vs Sunderland
Sunderland vs Nottingham Forest
Wolves vs Sunderland
Sunderland vs Man United
Everton vs Sunderland
Sunderland vs Chelsea
With Tottenham, Nottingham Forest and Wolverhampton Wanderers to play, there's every chance that Sunderland bridge the gap on Chelsea before the end of the campaign to set up a dramatic final-day face-off.
European football may still seem like a fantasy for some around the Stadium of Light, but everything suggests that it is still very much an unexpected possibility.
The one stumbling block will be any potential injuries during the international break. As revealed by Switzerland manager Murat Yakin, Granit Xhaka was pulled out of international training ahead of his country's clash against Norway.
Yakin revealed: "He is showing the effects of a high workload. He cannot start the game."
Granit Xhaka has become Sunderland's most important player
The last thing that Sunderland need is an injury to Xhaka. They'll be desperately hoping that Switzerland's decision to pull him out of training is nothing more than a precaution.
Granit-Xhaka-1
The midfielder is set to return to Wearside in the coming days as they prepare for a return to action on April 12. It's there that he may get another rest, before hopefully claiming his usual starting place in two weeks' time.
Le Bris doesn't need another reminder about his captain's importance, either. Sunderland noticeably struggled in his absence when he was out with an ankle injury back in February.
Sunderland without Xhaka 25/26
Games
Wins
Draws
Defeats
The Black Cats boss has been full of praise for one of the signings of the summer ever since his arrival, telling reporters earlier this season: "He gives this faith. When you play against Chelsea, you believe that you can win. He shows that, he tells us that in the dressing room and everywhere else."
Almost 12 months since he arrived for £13m, signing a contract worth £110,000-a-week in the process, Xhaka has become Sunderland's most important star.