Regis Le Bris offers injury update on Chris Rigg and Ian Poveda as Sunderland return dates made clear

Add as preferred source on Google

Sunderland have struggled with injuries all season, but Regis Le Bris has some relatively good news to share on both Chris Rigg and Ian Poveda.

Luckily, Sunderland have fairly decent strength in depth, which has allowed Regis Le Bris and his side to navigate the season with very few hiccups despite a number of players being missing.

Even with the defeat to Stoke City this weekend, the Black Cats are still right in contention at the top of the Championship table.

And, by the sounds of it, the Sunderland squad is about to get stronger once more in the near future, as both Chris Rigg and Ian Poveda close in on a full return to fitness.

• READ MORE: Sunderland fans react to Adil Aouchiche performance in Stoke City defeat, he was the ‘best player’

Rigg and Poveda need a couple more weeks before they can play again

Speaking to the official Sunderland Twitter/X account after the game, Le Bris was asked for an update on both Rigg and Poveda, who missed the defeat to Stoke, and the Sunderland manager outlined a realistic return date for the pair.

Le Bris said: “We will have to wait a little bit for Chris… maybe a couple of weeks, maybe less, we will have to see. For Ian, it was too early to start a game. We tested the situation this week, but he probably will have to still need maybe one or two weeks.”

With games coming thick and fast, if both players do miss two more weeks of action, they could end up being absent for three games, potentially even four depending on how quickly they can get back to full sharpness.

That would mean Sunderland will have to do without the talismanic Rigg for the upcoming top-of-the-table clash with Sheffield United, the FA Cup tie against Stoke City, and possibly the trip to Turf Moor to take on fellow promotion-chasers, Burnley.

• READ MORE: Sunderland player ratings vs Stoke City as Adil Aouchiche shines despite poor defeat

Chris Rigg was sorely missed against Stoke City

Given Sunderland’s wastefulness in front of goal against Stoke on Sunday — Le Bris’ side managed seven shots on target out of 22 attempts — it’s clear that one huge concern for the Black Cats is the fundamental matter of putting the ball in the back of the net.

However, the quality of chances created has to be examined, and that is where Sunderland really missed the influence of Rigg in the middle of the park.

Sunderland will be hoping Rigg can return as soon as possible to help the team start firing again lest they lose further ground in the promotion race.

Indeed, Sunderland will also hope Rigg ignores transfer speculation in January and stays at the Stadium of Light for the rest of the season, too.