Sunderland's Habib Diarra out until December after groin surgery

Sunderland midfielder Habib Diarra has undergone surgery on a groin injury and is expected to be sidelined until December, the club confirmed on Tuesday, leaving the Premier League newcomers without their record signing for a significant stretch of the season. The 21 year old sustained the problem in training ahead of his side's 1-1 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday and underwent the operation on Monday, after which Sunderland said he would begin rehabilitation at the club's Academy of Light.

The Senegal international, who joined Sunderland from Strasbourg in the summer for a reported club record fee of 30 million, had started the Black Cats' first four Premier League matches, contributing an assist in the 2-1 win at Brentford on August 30. His sudden absence prompted questions after he was omitted from the squad against Villa without an immediate update. Manager Régis Le Bris confirmed the injury ahead of that game, saying, "He got an injury yesterday during a training session, so we will have to wait for the diagnosis," and the club later described the surgery as successful.

Sunderland and national team schedules add to the setback. The club confirmed Diarra will miss Senegal's...