This week, Sunderland confirmed that Bailey Wright was set to miss between eight and 12 months because of an ankle injury. The player picked up the injury during Sunderland’s victory at Oxford United.
The defender has played five games for the Black Cats since arriving on loan, keeping four clean sheets in the process.
When the club announced the news, fans began discussing what Sunderland’s lineup could look like in his absence. Most fans agree that Alim Ozturk is the most likely and obvious replacement. Many fans are confident that he can come in and fill the role, while another fan was just generally displeased.
Time for the big Turkish dancer to step up???
— EthanNorton (@EthanNorton67) February 19, 2020
Ozturks time to shine
— Nick (@nicholaswilso11) February 19, 2020
All Hail ALIM OZTURK
— GBRMackem (@caleb11488) February 20, 2020
I can’t believe you’ve done this
— Ross (@MiarchesII) February 19, 2020
League 1 teams when they see Bailey Wright is injured for the rest of the season but Ozturk comes in for him: pic.twitter.com/4gsqBiMP02
— WonderfulWizardOfOzturk (@ozturkfanclub) February 18, 2020
Not good oh well. Big alim to cover. #safc
— Forster UK (@forsterchris0) February 19, 2020
Can Sunderland achieve promotion with Alim Ozturk as a starter?
Yes
No
If Ozturk comes in to replace Wright we won’t get promoted. It’s as simple as that. I’d rather us move back to a back 4
— David Hindmarsh (@DavidHindmarsh7) February 18, 2020
What do we think?
Hopefully, if Ozturk is given the nod, he can prove that he is good enough. He clearly still hasn’t convinced every Sunderland fan that he is worthy of his £180,000 valuation (as per Transfermarkt), despite already playing 20 games for the side this season.