SUNDERLAND are sweating on the fitness of winger Lynden Gooch as the club’s injury woes continue.

Gooch was replaced at half-time in the 2-1 win over Plymouth Argyle yesterday due to a groin injury.

The American has already had injury problems this season having been ruled out with a foot injury for a number of weeks but has recently battled back to feature in the side.

Sunderland have Aiden McGeady, Luke O’Nien, Niall Huggins and Dennis Cirkin ruled out for lengthy periods and they will be hopeful Gooch isn’t added to that list. Gooch has recently filled in as a wing-back but his potential absence could leave Lee Johnson thin on the ground in the wide defensive wide areas.

The Black Cats boss said: “Lynden went for a header and landed funnily - he almost did the splits,” Johnson said.

“It's a groin strain and he felt it enough to come off.”

He continued: “Sometimes they settle down pretty quickly and sometimes they are bad - there's no real in-between - he will probably be fit for training on Tuesday or out for three or four weeks.

“Doyle was dragged out a bit once Goochy went off, and Leon was playing out of position at wingback, Embleton out of position, Winchester out of position - that's credit to them and to the work that we do.

“They are tactically adaptable and fighting for the cause even when they are in uncomfortable positions. It’s third game in a week at home, another really tough game and we’ve got seven points from nine.

"We wanted nine and probably should have had nine with the level of performance, but I am proud of the lads really.”