Sunderland star Granit Xhaka is unlikely to represent Switzerland during the November international break after picking up an injury in the Premier League side’s 1-0 win over Chelsea at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.
The midfielder felt something during the warm-up. Despite this, both he and Régis Le Bris decided to not change the Black Cats’ playing XI.
That decision proved costly as the Sunderland captain left the pitch after four minutes. After the match, the manager confirmed his player had suffered a calf injury but wasn’t certain about the severity of the setback.
Sunderland star to miss another international break
Prior to the last international break, there was a saga involving Granit Xhaka back in his home country. There was an investigation into the player forging Covid certificates.
On September 21st, Granit Xhaka admitted forging those certificates and issued a public apology. He also withdrew from the national team squad for the last four UEFA Nations League matches.
Switzerland will face Slovenia and Scotland in the UEFA Nations League later this month. Manager Murat Yakin had included the 34-year-old in the squad for these two fixtures.
4-4-2.ch now states the Sunderland man’s involvement during this international break is ‘highly unlikely’ and Switzerland football association should confirm this shortly.
Blow confirmed for Sunderland man
Blick picks up on that and adds that the ‘situation is worse’ for Granit Xhaka, who suffered a calf injury on Sunday.
The former Arsenal man will undergo an MRI scan on Monday, to find out the extent of the damage. Even without the test results, there isn’t optimism about him returning to the national team after the Covid certificate drama.
Blick states: ‘The chances of him returning to the national team after his COVID-19 exposure, as well as the likelihood of a quick recovery, are currently considered very slim.’
For now, there isn’t an official confirmation, at least from the Swiss FA. This should arrive shortly. Xhaka can take advantage of the international break to focus on regaining fitness. The MRI results should determine the timeline of his recovery.
After the international break, Sunderland travel to Villa Park to face Aston Villa in the league on November 21st.
