Injury hopes for Larsson

Sebastian Larsson will not play again for Sunderland this season after undergoing a hernia operation.

The Black Cats have given Larsson permission to have the operation early in the hope that he will be fit to take his place for Sweden in the Euro 2012 finals this summer. The winger, who has had an excellent first season with the club, was given permission to undergo surgery in Manchester this week and he has thanked the club for their understanding. "I have had problems with groin pain for a couple of weeks now," Larsson told the club's website."I am extremely grateful to the club supporting me and giving me this opportunity to have the operation immediately. "This means the conditions to be prepared for Euro 2012 are much better than if I had to wait until the end of the season. "With this solution, I will have a couple of weeks for rehabilitation and after that hopefully I will be able to practice in full with the Swedish team - under the condition I am selected."