Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris could be in line to make one unpopular call ahead of the clash with Derby County.
The Black Cats will face an away trip to Derby County on Tuesday evening as they look to get back to winning ways against out-of-form opposition.
Sunderland’s clash against Burnley saw them match a fellow promotion contender across the pitch, but they will need to show a sign of improvement in front of goal in order to quash Paul Warne’s Derby County at Pride Park.
Coming up against Derby County, there will be every expectation that Sunderland should see off the Rams with ease after their streak of five losses in a row in the Championship and FA Cup.
Ahead of the clash, here are the injury and suspension details that will affect Regis Le Bris’ decisions…
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Sunderland injury news ahead of Derby County clash
Salis Abdul Samed will likely be available to the French boss, however there have been various concerns surrounding his fitness after recently returning from injury. Dan Ballard also came off the bench in the clash with Burnley, and could potentially be used from the off by Le Bris.
One issue Sunderland boss Le Bris is the continued absence of Aji Alese, who is set for a prolonged period out of action after sustaining a serious knee injury during the FA Cup loss to Stoke City.
Luckily for the French boss, any doubts Chris Mepham’s fitness have been quashed after Le Bris confirmed that he is available, despite being brought off in the 0-0 draw with Burnley.
As for guaranteed absentees for the game, joining Alese on the injury table is Tommy Watson, Alan Browne, and Mundle, who aren’t expected back until the end of January. Ian Poveda, Jenson Seelt, and Niall Huggins also remain out of action.
Amid all of Sunderland’s absentees, here is how Le Bris may decide to shape his side up…
How Regis Le Bris may set his side up as he makes bold Enzo Le Fee call
Looking at how Sunderland boss Le Bris is likely to set his side up on the road against Derby County, he will start Anthony Patterson in-between the sticks, and likely make one change to his backline. The full-backs will likely retain their place in the side, but Le Bris may throw Ballard into the team in place of Mepham, who, despite being available, could potentially be rested.
Le Bris could also make a bold call regarding midfielder Chris Rigg, who at times has looked jaded and could do with a rest in the midweek fixture. As a result, that will see Sunderland set up with a midfield four spanning across the pitch of Patrick Roberts, Dan Neil, Jobe Bellingham and Enzo Le Fee, with the Roma loanee playing yet again on the left-flank, something that Sunderland fans won’t be keen on seeing.
As for the attack, due to the potential of dropping Rigg to give him a well-needed rest, Le Bris should turn towards Spaniard Eliezer Mayenda, who looked electric when coming off the bench against Burnley, where he will partner Wilson Isidor at striker.
Here is how Sunderland could line-up against Derby County on Tuesday evening…
Patterson (GK); Cirkin, O’Nien, Ballard, Hume; Le Fee, Bellingham, Neil, Roberts; Isidor, Mayenda.