SUNDERLAND midfielder Luke O’Nien will receive an x-ray for a suspected rib injury this morning.

The 26-year-old was used as a second half substitute in the Black Cats 2-1 win over Lincoln City in their Papa Johns Trophy Group match.

O’Nien lasted just five minutes on the pitch after receiving a blow from a Lincoln player. He looked uncomfortable and had to stop playing numerous times before he was replaced by Elliot Embleton. He has recently suffered from a dislocated shoulder which the club’s medical staff are hopeful of waiting until the summer to have surgery on. However, O’Nien could be seen clutching his ribs as he was leaving the pitch last night.

The midfielder has been an integral part of Sunderland’s season and is one of the first names on the team sheet. The Black Cats don’t play a League One game for ten days but return to cup action a week today when they face Manchester United’s Under 21’s.

“Disaster from me in terms of the decision to put him on in hindsight” said manager Lee Johnson.

“I wanted to see the game out for the young players. They deserved there win and I felt it was better to become more senior as the game went on and they had to deal with various problems.

“So I just stuck Luke on in that sort of pressing position and he just caught one on the rib.

“He is in quite a bit of pain to be honest with you but he’ll get x-rayed in the morning. Good thing it wasn’t his shoulder.”

Sunderland saw off the Imps last night at Sincil Bank winning by two goals to one.

Dan Neil produced a man of the match performance and a 25 yard rocket within two minutes to put them in front before Stephen Wearne bundled the ball over the line in the second half.