EPL Injury Blow: Samuel Chukwueze Ruled Out of Fulham vs Sunderland Clash

 

​Fulham’s push for a top-ten finish in the Premier League has hit a significant hurdle as star winger Samuel Chukwueze is officially ruled out of the upcoming fixture against Sunderland. The Nigerian international, who has been a revelation since joining the Cottagers on loan from AC Milan, is currently sidelined with a calf injury. This news comes at a critical time for head coach Marco Silva, whose side travels to the Stadium of Light this Sunday, February 22, 2026, looking to snap a recent run of poor league form.

​The Source of the Injury

​The injury occurred during Fulham’s challenging 3-0 defeat against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Despite the scoreline, Chukwueze was a bright spark until he felt discomfort in his calf late in the game. While he was rested during the subsequent FA Cup victory over Stoke City as a precaution, further assessments by the Fulham medical team confirmed that the Sunday trip to Sunderland would come too soon for the 26-year-old.

​Marco Silva’s Injury Update

​In his pre-match press conference, Marco Silva provided clarity on the situation, attempting to ease the fears of fans regarding a long-term layoff. "The only player who is going to be out of the game is Chukwueze," Silva told reporters. "After the City game, he felt something in his calf. It is nothing serious, but even today he was only involved in some light drills. We expect him to be back in full training early next week."

​This suggests that while the "Super Eagle" will miss the clash with the Black Cats, he is on track to return for the highly anticipated London derby against Tottenham Hotspur.

​Why Chukwueze’s Absence Matters

​Samuel Chukwueze has become an integral part of Fulham’s attacking setup. His statistics this season speak for themselves:

• ​Appearances: 13
• ​Goals: 3
• ​Assists: 4
• ​Impact: Averaging a goal involvement every 91 minutes—a rate only bettered in the league by Erling Haaland.

​His ability to stretch defenses with his pace and clinical finishing has given Fulham a different dimension. Without him, the creative burden will likely fall on Harry Wilson, who leads the team in game-winning strikes, and Alex Iwobi, who will need to provide the ammunition for central striker Raul Jimenez.

​Fulham’s Predicted Lineup and Tactical Adjustments

​With Chukwueze out, Marco Silva has some tactical decisions to make. The team is bolstered by the return of Sasa Lukic and captain Tom Cairney to training, though their readiness to start remains a subject of "late checks."

​The predicted XI for the Sunderland trip likely includes Bernd Leno in goal, protected by a center-back pairing of Joachim Andersen and Calvin Bassey. In the absence of Chukwueze, Kevin Santos or Oscar Bobb could step into the right-wing role to maintain the team's width.

Position	Player
Goalkeeper	Bernd Leno
Defenders	Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon
Midfielders	Iwobi, Sander Berge, Smith Rowe
Forwards	Harry Wilson, Raul Jimenez, Kevin Santos

The Challenge at the Stadium of Light

​Sunderland has proven to be a tough nut to crack at home this season. Under the guidance of Regis Le Bris, the Black Cats sit 11th in the table, just one point ahead of 12th-placed Fulham. The return of their captain, Granit Xhaka, provides them with a massive psychological and tactical boost in the midfield. Fulham, having lost four of their last five league matches, desperately need a positive result to stay in the hunt for a European spot.

​Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Impact

​For FPL managers, Chukwueze’s injury is a major headache. Priced as a mid-range differential, many had brought him in following his "Haaland-esque" form. The official recommendation is to bench him for Gameweek 27 rather than sell, given Silva’s optimistic timeline for a Gameweek 28 return.

​Conclusion: A Test of Squad Depth

​The loss of Samuel Chukwueze is undoubtedly a setback, but it provides an opportunity for Fulham’s fringe players to prove their worth. If the Cottagers can secure three points at the Stadium of Light without their talismanic winger, it will be a testament to the squad depth Marco Silva has built. Fans will be keeping their fingers crossed that the Nigerian star's recovery remains on schedule for the crucial weeks ahead.