Brown back to Doncaster

From SAFC.com:

Chris Brown has gone to Doncaster for the rest of the season after recovering from a broken toe.

But the 19-year-old will miss their game against Leyton Orient today because of a groin strain.

The Sunderland striker scored six goals in eight appearances for promotion-chasing Rovers in a two-month loan spell at Belle Vue before Christmas.

His time in South Yorkshire was cut short after he suffered a broken toe in Doncaster's 3-0 win over Boston United at the end of November.

Mick McCarthy, however, had already decided to allow the striker to go out on loan for the rest of the season and he only returned to Sunderland for treatment.

The Black Cats boss said: "Chris is fine. He's gone back to Doncaster and hopefully he'll do as well as he did in his spell there last year."

*Sunderland midfielder Richie Ryan has undergone his second hip operation since the start of the season.

The youngster, who made his debut in Sunderland's game against Newcastle United at the Stadium of Light last season, was forced to go back under the surgeon's knife after suffering a set-back while on his way back from the initial operation.

He said: "This season has been a nightmare for me. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that this operation will sort out the problem."