Arca could miss first seven games of new season

Julio Arca could potentially miss the first seven matches of the new season, depending on how his international team perform in this summer's Olympics.

The Argentinian squad will be announced in the next three weeks, and it's thought likely that Arca will be included.

Argentina's fixtures will be on August 11, 14 and 17, meaning that should he make the squad, Arca will miss Sunderland's fixtures against Coventry, Crewe and QPR. If Argentina go all the way through to the final, he will also miss the fixtures against Plymouth, Wigan and Reading. He would also miss playing in the first round of the Carling Cup.

The Argentinian national coach has until 21 July to name his side.