SUNDERLAND’S injury problems continue to mount, but David Moyes insists it is bad luck rather than bad training that is to blame.

Lamine Kone and Jason Denayer are both major doubts for tomorrow’s Premier League game at Stoke City, with the former having suffered a hamstring injury and the latter struggling with an adductor problem.

Vito Mannone, Adnan Januzaj, Fabio Borini, Jan Kirchhoff, Lee Cattermole and Seb Larsson are all on the long-term injury list, and will definitely not be involved at the Britannia Stadium.

The absences are placing Sunderland’s squad under extreme pressure, but Moyes maintains there is nothing he could have done to avoid the setbacks.

The Sunderland boss said: “The injuries have all been in games. I would worry if it was injuries from training, but they are more to do with games.

“We thought with Catts (Cattermole) it was a hernia, and he’s had an epidural injection in his hip. We don’t know if it’s solved the problem. He’s not totally comfortable – it seems to be something in that area.”

Sunderland are still to record a league victory this season, and tomorrow’s opponents, Stoke, are the only other Premier League team still to claim a league win this term.

The Black Cats displayed some welcome resolve as they drew 1-1 with West Brom in their final outing prior to the international break, but Moyes accepts they desperately need a league win to kick-start their season.

He said: “We would love to get a feel-good factor running through the club, get the first win under our belts and look up.

“While we are where we are, we have to dig in, pick up points, whether it’s one or three, and get it going.

“The young players are getting there. They can form toughness and togetherness, and show they can be a team. Didier (Ndong), Paddy (McNair) – they are getting games young and they will benefit. (Jordan) Pickford too.

“I want to play good football, play well and perform well, but I’d take a win any way. We just have to find a way.”