Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris may look at tweaking his attacking options, whilst injury forces him into another change.
Following the conclusion of the international break, Sunderland will find themselves hosting Millwall at the Stadium of Light.
There will need to be a mammoth response from last time out, where Sunderland lost 3-0 to Coventry City, and many fans will be hoping that Regis Le Bris has galvanised the squad over the break.
There will be several bold decisions that the Frenchman will have to make, especially around his attacking options, and whether Wilson Isidor or Eliezer Mayenda will get the nod for the Black Cats. Firstly though, the Sunderland boss will have to work around some difficult injury news he has been dealt in the past week.
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Sunderland injury concerns ahead of Millwall clash
Sunderland’s long injury list has become more bleak this week with the news that Dennis Cirkin will likely miss the clash due to injury.
Elsewhere, Enzo Le Fee is nearing a return but may not be available for Millwall, while Dan Ballard is set for extra time on the sidelines.
Another recent setback was Leo Hjelde’s ‘small injury’, however he is likely to return in time to host Millwall.
On top of that, Ian Poveda and Salis Abdul Samed are out for a few weeks each, whilst Aji Alese is out for the season after a leg break, and Ahmed Abdullahi and Jayden Danns will be unavailable.
How Regis Le Bris could set up his side ahead of Millwall
Starting from the back, Anthony Patterson will be certain to continue in net for Sunderland, whilst three out of four of the defenders will likely retain their place in the side, that being Trai Hume, Chris Mepham, and Luke O’Nien. As for left-back, Dennis Cirkin’s injury will likely mean that Hjelde will step in for the Englishman.
As for the midfield, Sunderland boss Le Bris has become accustomed to using Dan Neil in holding midfield, whilst Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg will most likely be named in the side.
On the wings, Le Bris is likely to utilise both Patrick Roberts and Romaine Mundle on the right and left flanks respectively, with Isidor up front, who may be named ahead of Mayenda, despite the Spaniard being ‘really good’ recently.
Anthony Patterson
Trai Hume
Chris Mepham
Luke O’Nien
Leo Hjelde
Dan Neil
Jobe Bellingham
Chris Rigg
Patrick Roberts
Romaine Mundle
Wilson Isidor