Despite victory against Millwall, Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris could still make changes to his side against West Brom.
Sunderland will face West Brom this weekend, where they will hope to build on their recent victory against Millwall.
Sunderland star Trai Hume bagged the goal that sealed the win for the Black Cats, and defesively, Regis Le Bris’ side was in impeccable form, with Chris Mepham putting in a top performance, whilst Alan Browne did his job as a makeshift right-back.
Unfortunately, injuries had hampered Le Bris’ options prior to the Millwall clash, which saw Browne, as well as Hume, play out of position, but thankfully, the news surrounding absences is slightly more positive this weekend.
Here are the unavailabilities that Sunderland will have to deal with this weekend…
Sunderland injury and absentees ahead of West Brom clash
Thankfully for Sunderland and Le Bris, they will likely have Enzo Le Fee and Leo Hjelde return to the side, after the French boss confirmed on Sunday, saying that ‘we expect Leo and Enzo next week’.
Le Fee’s return has been highly anticipated, considering the ‘magic’ he produced before his injury.
Unfortunately, Sunderland are still likely to be without Jenson Seelt, while Dan Ballard is set for extra time on the sidelines.
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.
As a result, here is how Le Bris could line up his side on Saturday…
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How Regis Le Bris could set his side up against West Brom
Sunderland boss Le Bris will almost certainly continue with Anthony Patterson in-between the sticks, but the real dilemma comes with the options in the back-four.
Le Bris was forced into naming Hume and Browne as his full-backs, and whilst Hjelde is expected to be available for contention for the West Brom clash, the pair played so well that the French boss may keep his entire back four the same.
As for the midfield, Dan Neil and Jobe Bellingham will start, but Le Bris’ potential curveball could see Le Fee thrown straight back into the side. Providing that the Frenchman is fully fit, Le Bris could finally use him centrally and in front of both Jobe and Neil.
As for the attack, Romaine Mundle and Patrick Roberts will fill up the wide spots, whilst Eliezer Mayenda will be brought in for the out-of-form Wilson Isidor, who has occasionally ‘struggled’ in recent weeks.
Anthony Patterson
Alan Browne
Chris Mepham
Luke O’Nien
Trai Hume
Dan Neil
Jobe Bellingham
Enzo Le Fee
Patrick Roberts
Romaine Mundle
Eliezer Mayenda