SUNDERLAND face a worrying wait to discover the severity of Aji Alese's injury - but boss Regis Le Bris admits it looks "serious".

The defender, who has endured some rotten injury luck during his time on Wearside, was stretchered off in the second half of Sunderland's FA Cup defeat to Stoke City.

Le Bris said: "We'll see tomorrow morning for the diagnosis but it looks serious.

"It's always a shame for a player, for a teammate, because a serious injury for their health and their career is still difficult.

"It's difficult for him especially, it's difficult for the group because it's important for us. At the same time, we'll have good support for him for the next weeks.”

RECOMMENDED READING:

• Sunderland's costly errors & injury blow after Le Bris' exciting Enzo Le Fee verdict

• The Sunderland fringe figure who took his chance against Stoke - and one who didn't

Niall Ennis scored the winner for Stoke City in the second half of stoppage time, as Sunderland's poor recent record in the FA Cup continued.

They got off to a nightmare start when Tom Cannon scored the opener from the spot after just four minutes but drew level in the second half through substitute Milan Aleksic.

The Black Cats couldn't force a winner, and a mistake from substitute and debutant Salis Abdul Samed led to Stoke's winner.

Le Bris said: "We started a bit slowly. After that we were in the game we wanted to play.

"After the first goal, with the team we had today we played good football and we tried until the end to score. We deserved the equaliser and we could have probably won before full-time but it wasn't the case.

"In extra time both teams were tired that led to mistakes."

Le Bris made five changes to his side, with Simon Moore, Leo Hjelde and Aaron Connolly coming into the side. Chris Rigg returned from injury and Harrison Jones made his full debut.

Le Bris said: "I think it was important to respect the competition. It was a good team we put out but at the same time it was an opportunity for us to give some game time for some players.

"It was a good experience for them and at the end we have more players available."