Ivorian winger Jocelin Ta Bi forced off with injury on Sunderland debut

Ivorian winger Jocelin Ta Bi suffered a frustrating setback in his first Premier League start for Sunderland AFC, being forced off with an injury during the club’s home clash against Fulham FC on Sunday, 22 February.

Ta Bi, who joined Sunderland on 16 January, was handed a starting role for Matchday 27 at the Stadium of Light. The 24-year-old looked lively in the opening stages, impressing with his dribbles, duels won, and precise passing, hinting at the impact he could bring to the Black Cats’ attack.

However, his promising display was cut short in the 39th minute when he had to be substituted for Romaine Mundle due to an injury. The exact nature and severity of the problem have yet to be determined, with Sunderland’s medical staff set to conduct a full assessment in the coming days.

The timing of the injury is particularly disappointing for both Ta Bi and Sunderland, as the winger was showing encouraging signs in his debut and looked set to make an immediate impression in the Premier League. Fans and coaches alike will now be hoping for a swift recovery so he can continue to contribute to the team’s campaign.