Big Sam: Losing players to AFCON is 'disaster'

FORMER Sunderland and England boss Sam Allardyce has backed the Black Cats to do well - despite the “disaster” of losing players to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

- By CLIVE YOULTON

Allardyce believes that Sunderland losing up to seven players to the upcoming AFCON tournament is not good news.

He said: “It’s a disaster for the club. The old way of shutting the league down has gone out the window, hasn't it. They should never have got rid of the winter break.

“Injured players will be getting even more injured. Welfare is far more dangerous now than it’s ever been before.”

Speaking to Footy Accumulators No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Allardyce was joined by former Black Cats defender Wes Brown. Brown had high praise for Sunderland so far, who are flying high in the Premier League as a newly-promoted side.