Sunderland defender Luke O’Nien was left requiring oxygen on the pitch after injuring his shoulder in the opening minutes of Saturday’s Championship play-off final
Sunderland endured a nightmare start to the Championship play-off final after losing the influential Luke O’Nien, who picked up a nasty looking shoulder injury.
The Black Cats star required oxygen after landing awkwardly following an aerial duel in the second minute of Saturday’s match. He was sadly unable to continue after treatment, though he was able to leave the pitch of his own accord.
Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini, analysing the game for BBC Radio Newcastle, immediately recognised that O’Nien was in trouble due to the fact he had uncharacteristically stayed down.
He said: “I think this is a problem for Sunderland straight away, Luke O’Nien does not go down like that. It’s a blow, but at least the bench is looking a bit stronger than it has done before.”
Chris Mepham was introduced from the bench to replace O’Nien, who started the game lining up alongside Sunderland’s semi-final hero, Dan Ballard.
O’Nien was left stricken after leaping into the air with Kieffer Moore, whose powerful header produced a magnificent save from Antony Patterson to ensure Regis Le Bris’ side remained on level terms.
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