Sunderland fell to their first defeat of the season yesterday as they were beaten 2-0 by Preston North End.
The Black Cats put out a fully changed starting line-up from the team that beat Cardiff City at the weekend.
Most of Sunderland’s fringe players featured, as they were given the opportunity to stake their claim for a place in the senior squad for the rest of the season.
Most of them failed in their mission to impress though, with Chris Rigg and Romaine Mundle the only two that really caught the eye.
Abdoullah Ba arguably forced himself even further out of the picture after missing a sitter in the first half.
The Frenchman looks set to be behind Ian Poveda in the pecking order this term, with the Colombian arriving on a free transfer over the summer.
Poveda is yet to make his debut for Sunderland though, having once again been left out of the match-day squad for the trip to Deepdale.
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Poveda could make Sunderland debut this weekend
Last week, Regis Le Bris claimed that he could be available ‘in 10 days or a maximum of two weeks’, which could see him make his debut either this weekend against Sheffield Wednesday or against Burnley the following week.
Journalist Michael Graham has now explained why he has been absent, claiming that he isn’t even injured.
He wrote on X: “Being ultra cautious with him given his history. Not injured, or unfit, but want to make sure he’s robost enough before using him.”
Poveda spent the final month of last season on the sidelines, while he only managed nine starts all term.
Patrick Roberts’ revival means Poveda doesn’t need to be rushed
While he recovered from his injury over the summer, he didn’t manage to play a single minute of preseason, so it is understandable why he wouldn’t be thrown in at the deep end straight away.
The Black Cats have the depth in that area to not bother risking him, with Patrick Roberts impressing in preseason and comfortably claiming a spot in the starting line-up.
Le Bris has the likes of Ba and Mundle to act as back-up, so it is a relief that he isn’t choosing to rush Poveda back into action given his past injury problems.
The winger could be an excellent addition for Sunderland, but they can cope without him for now, so hopefully when he does emerge into the match-day squad, he can give it his very best.
The only issue for him is that he may have a big challenge on his hands to force his way into the picture if Roberts can find some good form in the opening fixtures. He already put in a lovely ball to set up Sunderland’s opener against Cardiff.