Tony Mowbray is confident Sunderland will do the 'correct thing' by stricken skipper Corry Evans as the club weighs up triggering its option to extend his contract. Evans suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament in Sunday's win against Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light and needs an operation, which means he is unlikely to play again this season.
The 32-year-old Northern Ireland international is out of contract this summer when the two-year deal he signed when he joined from Mowbray's former club Blackburn Rovers expires, but the Black Cats have the option to extend his stay by a further 12 months. As yet, the club has not taken up that option but Mowbray expects talks to take place between Evans' representatives and Sunderland's sporting director Kristjaan Speakman in the coming days and weeks.
The Evans has been an influential figure for Sunderland both last season, as the club was promoted from League One, and this term as they have quickly got to grips with the Championship, with his experience an important part of the mix in a team containing so many young players. Asked whether he knew whether the club had taken up the option at this stage, Mowbray said: "I wouldn't assume it has at this moment, because everything is pretty raw at the moment.
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"I do know there will be conversations over the next few days. You can understand it is a difficult situation for everybody to take all the information in, really.
"I'm sure Corry's advisors and the club will sit down and discuss it. We are all mindful of how much Corry has given to this club over the period of time he has been here.
"I wasn't here, but when he arrived I'm sure there were some difficult, tough, days but I know that Corry is a proper football man. He would have steadied that dressing room and given it a bit of structure and set some standards and values.
"I'm pretty sure that, without it being on my neck, this club will do the 'correct thing' for Corry Evans."
For his part, Mowbray seems keen for Evans to stay beyond the summer having said he has no doubts the midfielder will be back stronger than ever and helping the team again. He said: "First and foremost, it is a blow for Corry. He's been amazing at this club since he came.
"I had Corry at Blackburn Rovers for four years. It’s coincided that when he came here, the fortunes of the club turned that were trying for three or four years to get out of League One. Corry is just a really professional footballer understands his job, does his work everyday, sets the standards in the dressing room.
"He will maintain that, he is still going to be around the place even though he will be in the treatment room for a while. He'll continue to set the standard for the younger players at this football club.
"I’ve got no fears. He will be back stronger and helping us in the future."
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