John Eustace says Harry Pickering has a hamstring injury after he was forced off in the first half at Sunderland.

The left-back hobbled off in the dying seconds against Ipswich Town on Friday but started at the Stadium of Light. However, his afternoon only lasted 20 minutes before he was replaced by Ben Chrisene.

Pickering came back from a hamstring issue at the start of March and Eustace believes that he has strained that area again after playing lots of minutes since returning.

"I think he's got a slight problem with his hamstring," Eustace said.

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"It's the loading we've had to put Harry under. He's come back from injury and played a lot of games. To go Friday and today, he's an important player for us.

"I thought Ben (Chrisene) coming on, at 20, did very well on Friday against the team that were top of the league at the time.

"He's a young boy who is developing very nice. He came on and didn't put a foot wrong."

Pickering will be sent for a scan on Tuesday with Chrisene poised to start against Southampton on Saturday if there is any lasting damage.