Jocelin Ta Bi’s injury situation has taken another turn ahead of Sunderland’s trip to Bournemouth on Saturday. The winger, who was close to joining Celtic in January, now faces a spell out that could stretch beyond a few weeks.
Celtic had cooled their interest in the player during the winter window after an ankle issue showed up in his medical. Surgery was advised at the time. Sunderland pressed on regardless and handed him minutes in the FA Cup before starting him in the league.
Now, with Premier League fixtures coming thick and fast, Sunderland boss Régis Le Bris has admitted the problem may require an operation.
He said: (Sunderland AFC YouTube), “He may need surgery.
“It could be a month before we see Jocelin training.”
Celtic turned instead to Joel Mvuka late in the window, bringing him in on loan with an option to make it permanent. It hasn’t sparked yet. His only outing was 45 minutes against Dundee in the Scottish Cup before he was replaced at the break.
So it sits in an uncomfortable place. Celtic swerved a potential injury problem, but the player they chose instead hasn’t made an impact so far. Sunderland could now be dealing with the exact issue Celtic were trying to avoid.
January windows rarely offer perfect answers. You balance medical advice, squad depth and what’s available. Sometimes the decision looks smart. The true answer usually becomes clear long after the window shuts.
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if medical says there something after scans must listen yes hartson worked out but if he was fit for seville we would have won as porto was funerable in the air so but hartson was specail