Regis Le Bris suffers major Sunderland injury blow ahead of Millwall clash as crucial star sidelined

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Sunderland return to Championship action this weekend against Millwall with two crucial stars sidelined.

Sunderland host Millwall on Saturday afternoon as Regis Le Bris’ side resume Championship action following the international break.

Sunderland lost 3-0 at Coventry in their final league outing before the break, in an uncharacteristically ‘lazy’ display from Sunderland, which came days after their lacklustre 1-1 home draw with Preston.

Former Black Cats boss Alex Neil returns to the Stadium of Light this weekend with his Lions side in 11th-place. Le Bris revealed in his pre-Millwall press conference this week that Sunderland will be without two imperative defenders for Saturday’s Millwall clash, boding a huge dilemma with the head coach’s selection.

READ MORE: How Millwall striker Aaron Connolly’s season has gone since Sunderland departure

Sunderland duo Dennis Cirkin and Leo Hjelde to miss Millwall clash

Injury concerns arose in the Coventry defeat for Sunderland full-back Dennis Cirkin, who was substituted off during the second half with a hamstring injury, causing the former Spurs youngster to also miss out on his maiden England Under-21s call-up.

Le Bris revealed Cirkin will miss the visit of Millwall this weekend, and when asked about the extent of Cirkin’s injury, the Sunderland boss explained: “[Dennis Cirkin] Probably 2 or 3 weeks more [out] from now […] yes sure [it’s a blow], the season was like that with many injuries and opportunities for other players.”

22-year-old Cirkin has been in impressive form this season when fit – tallying five goal contributions – but occasional injury issues have stalled his campaign’s efforts.

Black Cats defender Leo Hjelde has proven himself to be a capable deputy for Cirkin, particularly away at Sheffield Wednesday in providing an assist for Eliezer Mayenda, however Le Bris has compiled the Sunderland misery with news the Norwegian will also be sidelined for Saturday’s affair.

Le Bris added: “[Leo Hjelde] shouldn’t be available for Saturday […] we will find a solution with a versatile player.”

Sunderland’s latest injury woes in defence leave Le Bris with no recognised left-back’s to call on for the Millwall clash, but positive news regarding Trai Hume after he was withdrawn from the Northern Ireland squad with injury, could prove to be the solution.

Sunderland ace Trai Hume fit to face Millwall despite injury

Full-back Hume impressed for Northern Ireland in their 1-1 draw with Switzerland during the international break, putting in a ‘captain’s display’ but withdrew after amid concerns with his hip.

Thankfully for Le Bris, the tough-tackling defender is fit to feature against Millwall, with the Sunderland boss adding when quizzed over Hume’s availability: “Yes, probably, he managed this pain for a long time and he should be available for Saturday.”

Injuries for Cirkin and Hjelde bode an unwanted selection headache for Le Bris, who, boosted by the positive Hume news, could shift the versatile defender over to the left side of defence and thus slot in Alan Browne at right-back for this weekend’s fixture. 

However Le Bris opts to line the side up on Saturday, Sunderland’s game against Millwall will be a tough test, as his Black Cats aim to return to winning ways in their first of final eight games amid their hopes to mathematically secure a coveted play-off position.