Hamstring halts Cuellar

20 September 2012 16:04

Sunderland centre-back Carlos Cuellar will miss the club's trip to West Ham at the weekend after being ruled out with a hamstring injury.

The Spanish defender was replaced at half time by Titus Bramble during last weekend's draw with Liverpool and has been unable to shake off his knock, with manager Martin O'Neill casting doubt over his involvement in the side in the coming weeks.

"Carlos has a hamstring problem and I think he would be very doubtful for not only this game but perhaps the next couple of matches," O'Neill told the club's official website.

"From that viewpoint it's a bit disconcerting but these things happen and we have to get on with it."

O'Neill refused to rule Adam Johnson out of the trip to Upton Park, however, as the England winger looks to make his way back to full fitness.

"We were hoping Adam would have made the fixture last weekend, but that wasn't the case," the Ulsterman added.

"He's progressing but it's too early to say yet about this weekend."