Sunderland return to Championship action away vs Portsmouth on Saturday.
Following a manic deadline day, Regis Le Bris and his Sunderland side get back to business with a tricky away fixture vs Portsmouth.
The Black Cats signed four players on deadline day; Ahmed Abdullahi, Salis Abdul Samed, Milan Aleksic, and Chris Mepham on loan from Bournemouth
None are expected to feature vs Portsmouth however, with Le Bris taking a slightly weakened squad down to Fratton Park following an eventful week at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats go into this weekend in 1st place of the Championship table after three wins from three, with three clean sheets to their name as well.
Portsmouth have drawn their opening three Championship fixtures after winning the League One title last season.
Sunderland team and injury news vs Portsmouth
Sunderland are without captain Dan Neil for the trip to Portsmouth, with the midfielder serving a one-match suspension after his red card vs Burnley.
Aji Alese is also injured, and Alese’s ankle injury is worse than first thought too, so he could be sidelined for some time.
Loan striker Wilson Isidor is in line to make his debut after joining from Zenit earlier this month.
Dan Ballard could also make his first start of the season after coming off the bench vs Burnley last weekend, then playing 45 minutes for the U21s in midweek.
Jenson Seelt and Niall Huggins remain longer-term injuries.
Sunderland predicted XI vs Portsmouth
With so many new faces having arrived on deadline day, there’ll be a newfound air of competition among the first-team players.
So expect everyone to be extra inclined to impress vs Pompey on Saturday, though Le Bris certainly has one or two gaps in the side to plug.
Alese has been in good form this weekend and Ballard is the obvious straight-swap, though whether he’s fit enough to start remains to be seen.
Neil’s absence in midfield could also be a tricky one for Le Bris, especially with Pierre Ekwah having left on deadline day, but expect Alan Browne to step into the XI.
Here’s how we expect Sunderland to line up vs Portsmouth…
Patterson (GK)
Cirkin
Ballard
O’Nien
Hume
Rigg
Browne
Mundle
Bellingham
Roberts
Isidor