Regis Le Bris looks set to be forced into a few changes for his side’s upcoming Championship clash against Swansea City.
Regis Le Bris may want to trial some new players in different positions on Saturday, given his side’s very mixed form of late.
The Black Cats have fallen five points behind league leaders Sheffield United after winning just one of their last eight in the Championship.
Last time out, Sunderland drew 1-1 with Bristol City owing to an injury time equaliser from Patrick Roberts, after the Black Cats had ended a run of six games without a win.
On Saturday afternoon, Sunderland take on a Swansea City side currently unbeaten in four and sitting in 9th place of the Championship table, compared to Sunderland in 4th.
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Sunderland team news vs Swansea City, Tommy Watson injury update
The big news for Sunderland ahead of their trip to Swansea City is that Tommy Watson is injured for up to two months after sustaining damage to his knee and ankle against Bristol City in midweek.
Elsewhere, Le Bris says that Luke O’Nien should return for Sunderland after illness kept him out of the Bristol City game.
The Black Cats remain without Salis Abdul Samed, Ahmed Abdullahi, Alan Browne, Niall Huggins, Romaine Mundle, Ian Poveda, and Jenson Seelt.
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Sunderland predicted lineup vs Swansea City as Wilson Isidor dropped
One change that Le Bris might consider is axing top scorer Wilson Isidor, who’s without a goal in his last five now.
Sunderland faces were critical of Isidor against Bristol City stating that the striker isn’t really having an impact of late.
That could mean a chance for Aaron Connolly down the middle. But who starts on the flanks remains a bit of a mystery.
Roberts surely starts after his impressive cameo against Bristol City. Then on the left in place of Watson, we could see Eliezer Mayenda or even Nazariy Rusyn come into the XI.
Also, O’Nien might be one to feature on the bench, especially if he’s not at 100%, with Dennis Cirkin surely returning to the starting XI after two substitute appearances following a broken wrist.
Here’s how we think Sunderland will line up against Swansea City on Saturday afternoon…
Patterson (GK)
Cirkin
Ballard
Mepham
Hume
Bellingham
Neil
Mayenda
Rigg
Roberts
Connolly