BREAKING NEWS: Mike Dodds discloses a harsh injury setback for Sunderland captain Corry Evans.

Sunderland captain Corry Evans has encountered another setback in his injury recovery journey, as revealed recently. Evans, aged 33, has been out of action for over a year since sustaining a cruciate ligament injury in early 2023. Despite his recent return to first-team training and plans to participate in some U21 fixtures to accelerate his recovery, Mike Dodds has disclosed that Evans has experienced a minor setback.

Corry Evans ‘rolls’ ankle, but ‘nothing major’ says Mike Dodds

Interim manager Dodds, speaking to We Are Sunderland ahead of the Championship match against Southampton on Saturday, disclosed the latest injury setback for Evans, stating:

“Corry rolled his ankle this morning, fortunately it’s not too serious. There was a debate about whether he should play or not, but the decision has been made to give him a couple of days’ rest.

“Corry won’t feature on Monday, but it’s primarily precautionary given his recent absence from the squad.”

Evans is anticipated to make his comeback in Sunderland U21s’ upcoming fixture against Newcastle United later this month.

Former Manchester United prospect Evans has amassed a total of 408 career appearances throughout his stints with clubs such as Hull City, Blackburn Rovers, and Sunderland. Of these, 64 appearances were made in the colors of Sunderland.

Evans notably played a pivotal role in the promotion-winning campaign of the 2021/22 season in League One. Under the guidance of former Blackburn Rovers manager Tony Mowbray at the Stadium of Light, he featured prominently, appearing in 36 league matches, contributing two goals and two assists.

A long road to recovery for Evans at Sunderland

It has undoubtedly been a challenging journey for Evans. Dealing with a significant injury setback previously, the recent minor injury setback adds to the uncertainty regarding his future in a Sunderland shirt.

With his contract set to expire at the end of the season and limited time remaining in the current campaign, Evans finds himself racing against time. However, the prospect of featuring for the U21s by the end of the month, coupled with a two-week international break, offers a glimmer of hope for a potential return to first-team action in April.

Seeing Evans back on the field would be a welcome sight for Sunderland, as they have felt the absence of his experience and tenacity in midfield this season. A series of impactful performances upon his return could also bolster his chances of attracting interest from other clubs ahead of the summer transfer window.