Sunderland often boast a lengthy list of injured players. Right now, after passing the midway point of the 2024/25 season, it’s the same case, with several currently sidelined for the Black Cats.
Once again, injuries have plagued the Sunderland squad. But thankfully, others have stepped up and helped to keep the Black Cats’ promotion push alive under Regis Le Bris this season.
For instance, Romaine Mundle and Tommy Watson are both injured on the left. But Adil Aouchiche has impressed for Sunderland in their absence and he could yet give Le Bris a headache when Mundle and Watson are back.
There’s been other headaches for the Frenchman, like in defence and at times at full-back. Right now, there’s no mistake at centre-back with Luke O’Nien and Chris Mepham the centre [airing, given the injury to Dan Ballard.
And in the middle of the pitch, it’s Dan Neil and Jobe Bellingham, with Chris Rigg and Alan Browne injured too. Speaking to the press on Friday, Le Bris shared the latest on Ballard and Rigg.
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Dan Ballard and Chris Rigg injury updates at Sunderland
Sunderland host Championship strugglers Portsmouth on Sunday in a game that the Black Cats should be expecting to win. Of course, that’s easier said than done in the Championship, and Sunderland will remain without key men Ballard and Rigg.
Speaking to the press on Friday afternoon, Le Bris ruled Ballard out of the Pompey game, adding: “We’ll have to take care of Ballard because it’s a muscle injury, and it’s not a major injury but it’s still the same with muscle injury.”
Le Bris also added that Rigg’s ‘recovery is doing well’, suggesting that the teenager could return to action for Sunderland’s FA Cup clash against Stoke City on January 11th. Rigg was recently ruled out for Sunderland following an injury picked up against Blackburn Rovers on Boxing Day.
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Regis Le Bris tipped to unleash ‘the next Chris Rigg’ in 2025
Rigg has been a revelation for Sunderland this season, and his injury is a real blow for the Black Cats, highlighting just how good a player he’s become in such a short space of time.
Speaking recently though, journalist James Copley tipped Le Bris to unleash Trey Ogunsuyi in 2025, with the academy striker knocking on the door of the first-team.
Copley said: “I think he could be the next big thing at Sunderland, in terms of; the next Chris Rigg, the next Tommy Watson.
“Depending on where Sunderland are come the end of the season, I think you could see him get his first minutes of the campaign… similarly to Watson maybe, towards the back end of last season.”
First things first though, Sunderland have to beat Portsmouth if they want to keep the heat on the three teams above them in the Championship.