Sunderland's Xhaka Faces Up to 3 More Weeks Out with Ankle Injury

Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka faces an extended absence from the pitch due to an ankle injury, with head coach Regis Le Bris indicating the midfielder could miss up to three more weeks of action following the team's 3-0 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday.

Xhaka sustained the injury during Sunderland's 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace last month and has already sat out three matches, including the recent loss at the Emirates Stadium against his former club. Le Bris provided the update after the game, noting that while Xhaka has begun light running on a treadmill, no firm timeline for his return exists. "We don't know yet," Le Bris said. "Probably two or three weeks. We'll see according to his feeling and just wait a bit."

The 33-year-old Swiss international is certain to miss Wednesday's Premier League home fixture against Liverpool at the Stadium of Light, as well as next Sunday's FA Cup fourth-round tie at Oxford United. He also appears likely to sit out the February 22 home match against Fulham, and if recovery takes the full three weeks, he could be a doubt for the February 28 trip to Bournemouth. Xhaka's absence represents a significant blow to Sunderland's midfield stability,...