SUNDERLAND boss Lee Johnson revealed Jake Vokins is being assessed following a “slight flicker” to his heart, as he recovers from contracting COVID-19.

The young Saints full-back has been on loan at the Black Cats for the second half of the season but has not featured since their 2-0 victory away at Accrington on March 17.

Johnson revealed Saints had sent the 21-year-old for an ECG which picked up a minor irregularity, meaning he has been given extra time to recover before further tests.

"Jake was the one who picked up COVID, and after a very good game at Accrington away he then started to feel quite poorly," said Johnson.

"Southampton then arranged for him to have an ECG and there was a slight flicker on that.

"When people get tested for COVID you don't - unless you are playing the Premier League - necessarily get checked (with an ECG) because there is a high cost to it.

"But they checked him and he probably just needs a week to settle down, and then I think he'll have another ECG next week and we'll go from there and look at his return to play protocol.

"I don't think he will be out that long because he looks fine, he feels fine - he is frustrated more than anyone because he actually feels good.

"But this is the right thing to do, given that COVID is an unprecedented situation.

"His previous ECGs, medicals and what have you, have always been clear so I don't think it's a long-term problem - no-one is panicking in that respect.”