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If Sunderland are going to get back to winning ways against Swansea City this week, it appears they will have to do it without Jack Clarke.

Clarke is the Black Cats’ top player this season, scoring 15 goals and contributing four assists too.

However, he was injured in the defeat to Huddersfield last week and then aggravated it further as Sunderland lost to Birmingham.

The 23-year-old has not trained since and as a result is a major doubt for the game against the Swans amid concerns he could be missing for two to three weeks, as per the Sunderland Echo.

Sunderland face Norwich on March 2 followed by quickfire games against Leicester and Southampton. 

It would be an obvious blow to Sunderland, who are also missing fellow winger Patrick Roberts due to a hamstring problem.

That would leave Adboullah Ba and Romaine Mundle to play wide but nothing at all in reserve given youngsters Jewison Bennette and Eliezer Mayenda are out on loan.

Another intriguing option, though, would be Nazariy Rusyn, who played much of his football in the Ukraine from the left.

Interim head coach Mike Dodds is expected to give a full update when he addresses the press on Friday ahead of his first game back in temporary charge. 

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