Sunderland often seem to have a lengthy injury list.
Since Sunderland’s return to the Championship in 2022, injuries has been an issue for them.
In seasons under Tony Mowbray, and later Michael Beale and Mike Dodds, injuries seems to have plagued the Sunderland first-team squad.
Right now under Regis Le Bris, the Black Cats have a relatively clean bill of health, albeit with a couple of longer-term injuries.
Le Bris has a nearly fully-fit first-team right now, and competition is rife following the additions of nine new players at the Stadium of Light over the summer.
Deadline day alone saw four new players arrive at Sunderland, with fans excited to see the newest additions in action over the coming weeks.
Sunderland currently sit in 1st place of the Championship table after a perfect start to the 2024/25 season, with the Black Cats winning 3-1 vs Portsmouth in their last outing.
The next fixture is another trip down south, with Sunderland playing Plymouth Argyle after the international break.
Injury latest on Jenson Seelt and Niall Huggins at Sunderland
The two names on Sunderland’s injury list right now are Niall Huggins and Jenson Seelt.
The pair suffered serious knee injuries last season, at a time when both were starting to make their mark in the Championship as well.
Both players start this season on the sidelines, and neither player is expected to make a return to action until the New Year.
Journalist Jame Copley shared on both players, posting on X:
Competition in the Sunderland defensive ranks
Right now, Le Bris has two quality full-backs in Trai Hume and Dennis Cirkin, who have their respective positions locked down.
After those two, Le Bris really doesn’t have too many options to call upon, with Leo Hjelde arguably the only fit, natural full-back in the first-team.
That’s without considering the younger and much less experienced likes of Joe Anderson among others, and so it certainly feels like the full-back positions at Sunderland are quite thin on the ground.
An injury to either Hume or Cirkin would certainly open a void in the side and so Le Bris may be keen for Huggins and Seelt to return to action ahead of schedule, and bolster his first-team options.
But after such lengthy spells on the sidelines, patience will be needed with both players.
Having them back will certainly be a boost for Le Bris, and they’ll no doubt be excited to get involved with this new-look Sunderland team.