Every cloud has a silver lining, as they say, and Regis Le Bris can see the positives to Sunderland being without Chris Mepham for this weekend’s Championship clash with Stoke City.
A controversial first-half red card as Sunderland’s long unbeaten run came to an end at Sheffield United last Friday means the Wales international – so impressive since joining on loan from AFC Bournemouth – will be out of Regis Le Bris’ starting XI for the first time since the beginning of September.
And, with Sunderland looking to bounce back and secure a win after six games without one, Chris Mepham’s absence should give Stoke some renewed confidence about their chances of breaching the Championship’s third-best backline.
But it’s not all doom and gloom.
Mepham’s straight red against Chris Wilder’s Blades means he now cannot pick up a further suspension for a fifth yellow card when he returns to the side.
And, with the centre-half currently on four yellows, that at least offsets some of the disappointment surrounding his unavailability for Stoke’s visit to Wearside.
Chris Mepham absent but Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris can see the positives
“Yeah, absolutely,” Le Bris said during his Thursday press conference when asked if Mepham’s early bath at Bramall Lane may actually benefit Sunderland in the long run.
“We have to deal with the rules.”
Sunderland also have options to step in and fill Mepham’s boots.
Dan Ballard and Aji Alese will be available, while Luke O’Nien could slot in at centre-half. Dennis Cirkin is back following surgery, meaning O’Nien may no longer be required in the left-back berth he started in at the Steel City.
Stoke City head to the Stadium of Light after no wins in four games, meanwhile. A run which has left Narcis Pelach’s perennial underachievers glancing nervously over their shoulders at the Championship’s relegation zone.
Stoke do have one of the most feared forwards in the division, however. Tom Cannon was linked with Sunderland before leaving Leicester for a loan spell at the Potteries over the summer. Le Bris will be praying that his Mepham-less backline can cope with Cannon’s fittingly explosive qualities.
Bournemouth loanee Mepham a ‘sensational signing’ for Sunderland
Sunderland board member Dave Jones cannot speak highly enough of Chris Mepham’s impact on Wearside. No only the finest centre-half at Sunderland, but perhaps the finest centre-half in the whole of the league.
“[Mepham] has a calming influence on everyone else around him,” Jones said this week. “He’s been a sensational signing Chris Mepham, he really has, and his level of performance has been extraordinary every single week.”
“We look forward to having him back in the team.”
Club captain O’Nien accepted the blame for Mepham’s first red card as a Sunderland player in the aftermath of Friday’s defeat, meanwhile. It was he who lost possession in his own half before Mepham took down a rampaging Tyrese Campbell.
“I put my hands up. I cost Meps, our best player this season,” O’Nien said. “Losing him for a game is my responsibility.
“But, hey, these mistakes will make me a better player. And these losses will make the team a better team as well.”