00:01Sunderland AFC have been handed a worrying injury scare just weeks before the time we're derby
00:07after two players were forced off during their Premier League clash with Fulham.
00:12Defender Nourdi Mukuele, who had been a key figure since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer,
00:19lasted only a few minutes before going down off the ball.
00:24The Frenchman initially attempted to continue but was quickly replaced by Luchie Goutrada,
00:30leaving the pitch clearly distressed as teammates offered support.
00:35It was an early setback for Sunderland, who had hoped to build momentum ahead of a crucial run of fixtures.
00:42The disruption did not end there.
00:44Debutant Jocelyn Tabai, lively in the opening stages on the wing, also suffered an injury before half-time
00:50and had to be substituted with Roman Mundell coming on in his place.
00:55Despite the setback, Sunderland still showed flashes of attacking promise.
00:58The host carved out opportunities from set-pieces and wide play,
01:03with midfielders pushing forward and testing Fulham's defence.
01:06But the match was overshadowed by concern over the injured pair.
01:11With the time where derby looming, attention will now turn to medical assessments and recovery timelines.
01:17Sunderland will be hoping both Mucchielli and Tabai avoid lengthy spells on the sidelines,
01:22as their availability could be crucial in one of the most important fixtures of the season.
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