Club have been fantastic with their support

MIDFIELDER Habib Diarra has opened up on his decision to sign for Sunderland while addressing his injury issues.

- By CLIVE YOULTON Football writer

The 21-year-old has been sidelined since September after making just four Premier League appearances and has now joined the Senegal squad at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Senegalese star became the Black Cats' record signing when he joined from RC Strasbourg in a deal worth around £30 million last summer.

But his activity has been limited after he succumbed to a groin complaint that required surgery.

Since then, he has been working his way back to full fitness, but Sunderland are set to be without him for another extended period of time after he received a call-up to represent his country at the African Cup of Nations.

Speaking to Senegalese outlet DSports, when asked about his injury, Diarra said: “It's true that at the beginning, it was difficult. After the injury, I didn’t think there would be surgery.