Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris’ side will likely be tinkered with following recent injury news.
The Black Cats will be looking to return to winning ways in the 2024/25 Championship as they face Derby County.
The odds will be stacked in Regis Le Bris’ side’s favour as Derby County have lost all three of their Championship away games so far this campaign, however the pressure will be on for Sunderland to respond to their 2-1 defeat against Watford in positive fashion.
Several players will be looking to return to their usual form after standards slipped on the road at Vicarage Road, especially from Dan Neil, who let slip a poor foul that handed a penalty and the opportunity to grasp all three points to the hosts on a silver platter, which they took.
Jobe Bellingham was also not quite up to scratch for the Black Cats against Watford, however looks very unlikely to lose his spot in the side as the game looked to be a one-off for the young prospect.
With the Derby County match looking to be a big opportunity for Le Bris to get his team back on track, here are the injury updates ahead of the game…
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Sunderland injury updates ahead of Derby County clash
The Black Cats will likely be without both Eliezer Mayenda and Dan Ballard after Le Bris confirmed that the pair, who both were absent in the loss against Watford, will miss the game, although could be available next weekend.
However, Sunderland’s midfield options have been bolstered with the return of Alan Browne in the centre-of-the-park, who will add some necessary depth to Le Bris’ depleted side.
Sunderland defensive trio Aji Alese, Jenson Seelt, and Niall Huggins are unlikely to be available, as well as both Salis Abdul Samed and Ahmed Abdullahi, who are still working towards 100% fitness.
It is also expected that Aaron Connolly won’t feature until after the October international break.
Here is how we think Sunderland will line up against Derby County…
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Sunderland predicted XI vs Derby County
There is no doubt that Anthony Patterson will retain his spot in the starting line up after playing a pivotal role for Le Bris’ side up until this point.
It is likely that the defence will be unchanged as a result of the likely absence of Ballard at the heart of defence, which will see Chris Mepham and Luke O’Nien once again utilised.
With Browne’s return from injury, it could be a case that Le Bris chucks him straight back into the side. All three of Sunderland’s midfielders were uncharacteristically off the pace last time out, however it will likely be Neil to make way after his poor showing against Watford.
Wilson Isidor will retain his spot leading the line after he netted his first Sunderland goal, whilst Patrick Roberts and Romaine Mundle will provide the width after becoming mainstays in the side.
Here is how Sunderland will line up…
Anthony Patterson, Trai Hume, Dennis Cirkin, Luke O’Nien, Chris Mepham, Alan Browne, Jobe Bellingham, Chris Rigg, Patrick Roberts, Romaine Mundle, Wilson Isidor