JUST IN : Sunderland’s confirm top midfielder injury ahead of Watford clash

Sunderland’s ALEX PRITCHARD has been injured, and the midfielder has been replaced in the team for tonight’s game against Watford by Abdoullah Ba.

Tony Mowbray stated in his pre-match press conference that he’d be forced to make one change due to an injury, but wouldn’t identify which player was out.

The lineup has been finalized, with Ba replacing Pritchard as the sole alteration from the XI that started against Sheffield Wednesday last time out. Mowbray said before the game that the injured man, who we now know is Pritchard, might be able to play against Boro on Saturday.

With Ba coming into the side, Jewison Bennette returns to the bench for Sunderland.

Valerien Ismael has made two changes to his Watford team, with Giorgi Chakvetadze and Tom Ince replacing Mileta Rajovic and Yaser Asprilla
SUNDERLAND: Patterson, Hume, O’Nien, Ballard, Huggins; Neil, Bellingham; Ba, Roberts, Clarke, Burstow

Subs: Bishop, Aouchiche, Hemir, Seelt, Triantis, Rigg, Rusyn, Taylor, Bennette

WATFORD: Bachmann; Ngakia, Porteous, Hoedt, Lewis; Sierralta; Louza, Dele-Bashiru; Ince, Bayo, Chakvetadze.

Subs: Hamer, Livermore, Rajovic, Kone, Healey, Pollock, Asprilla, Kayembe, Andrews