Sunderland host Swansea City in the Championship on Saturday and with a top six finish in the bag, we could see Regis Le Bris make a lot of changes to the side.
Sunderland welcome Swansea City to the Stadium of Light on Saturday. It’s the Black Cats’ first games as guaranteed play-off contenders following their 0-0 draw against Norwich City in the week, so Regis Le Bris might take the chance to rest some players.
And fans certainly know there’s some names in desperate need of a rest after such a gruelling season, with that Norwich City game once again shining a light on some leggy players.
Sunderland fans were critical of Dan Neil once again and Le Bris may well take the chance to give the skipper a break with Dan Neil having definitely put in some iffy performances in the last few weeks.
Then perhaps names like Luke O’Nien who’s been present throughout could even get a break, though don’t expect Le Bris to make sweeping changes as he’ll want to keep momentum going into the play-offs.
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Sunderland team news vs Swansea City
Le Bris doesn’t speak to the press until Friday but we already know the likes of Niall Huggins, Aji Alese, Jayden Danns, Salis Abdul Samed, and Ian Poveda will miss out through injuries.
There’s names like Jenson Seelt, Dennis Cirkin and Dan Ballard who missed the game against Norwich through injury but seem to be ever closer to a return to action, though Le Bris wont be rushing anyone given the fact that his side have already secured play-offs.
Jobe Bellingham missed the Norwich City game through injury. Le Bris said his injury wasn’t a serious one and so he could be straight back into the XI.
That said, he’ll want to make sure his returning players get some minutes in before the play-offs, if possible.
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Predicted Sunderland lineup vs Swansea City as Dan Neil axed
Neil being rested seems like it’d be a very sensible change for Le Bris to make, especially if he can welcome Bellingham back into the fold.
Elsewhere, we could see a handful of youngsters included in the matchday squad, as there was against Norwich City with Harrison Jones one who could be in line to start after making a couple of Championship appearances now.
Le Bris’ options remain somewhat limited because of injuries though and so Jones might be the only youngster to come in from the off. But rotation remains likely with names like Patrick Roberts, Enzo Le Fee and Wilson Isidor all starting on the bench in midweek.
Here’s how we think Sunderland will line up against Swansea City…
Patterson (GK)
Hume
O’Nien
Mepham
Browne
Jones
Bellingham
Le Fee
Rigg
Roberts
Isidor