Alex Neil has given Callum Doyle some time off to recharge his batteries as Sunderland prepare for the League One run-in.
On-loan Manchester City centre-back Doyle was missing from the teamsheet for the Black Cats' 3-0 win at promotion-chasing Wigan yesterday, and January defensive addition Danny Batth was also absent.
Doyle had been suffering from a minor hip problem, while Batth has been struggling with an ankle injury in recent weeks.
READ MORE: Alex Neil praises Sunderland players and hails 'terrific' fans after Wigan win
But the bigger issue with Doyle is the amount of football the 18-year-old has played this season, and Neil warned yesterday morning ahead of the game that the youngster risked 'burnout' in his first senior campaign unless he was given a breather.
And that breather came this weekend, with Doyle given a few days' break this week and told not to report back for training until next week.
"I've spoken several times about how knackered Callum is, and you could see that the other day [in the draw against Burton]," explained Neil.
"He is also feeling a little bit of an impingement on his hip, but nothing too significant.
"I just told him to take four or five days off and chill out, and we'll see you next week some time."
As for Batth, he was an unused sub against Burton affter missing the previous two games having rolled his ankle in training, but the former Stoke City man is clearly still feeling the after-effects of that injury which led to him being left out at Wigan.
Neil said: "Danny's problem has been rumbling on really.
"It's just on the bridge of his foot, and his ankle just keeps swelling up and going down and swelling up again.
"It's an unfortunate one for him, but I don't think it is going to be anything long-term."
With Doyle and Batth both out, Neil handed a League One debut to Arbenit Xhemajli and he impressed in what was only his second senior outing since recovering from the knee ligament injury that sidelined him for more than a year.
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