Regis Le Bris could turn towards one dropped star as he looks to make a change for the upcoming clash against Watford.
Sunderland are set to face off against Watford, where they will hope to build on their recent win against Middlesbrough.
The Black Cats will be expected to see off an out-of-form Watford side that have notched just one win in their previous nine Championship clashes, with seven of those resulting in losses for Tom Cleverley’s side.
There is no doubt that Regis Le Bris will look to put out a similar side to the one that saw off Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium, where Wilson Isidor and Enzo Le Fee notably shone for Sunderland, however the French boss could look to revert on one surprising choice he has made in recent games.
Sunderland injury news ahead of Watford clash
Le Bris confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Sunderland winger Tommy Watson is nearing a return to training in the next week or so. The Watford game will come too soon for him, and the same applies for fellow winger Romaine Mundle, but it is still brilliant news to the French boss that two attacking assets are nearing a return.
Another positive is the fact that Ian Poveda appears to be over his injury woes, and got more minutes under his belt on Monday night. Summer signing Alan Browne and Jenson Seelt could also be in contention for a return, with both being ‘ready to play’, according to Le Bris.
New signing Jayden Danns is not in contention of playing after a minor injury was picked up in his medical.
As a result of Sunderland’s mainly positive injury news, here is how they could line up against Watford…
Black Cats predicted XI vs Watford
In recent weeks, Sunderland boss Le Bris has been more than content with his defensive choices, and there is very little chance that that will change against Watford. As a result, Anthony Patterson will certainly keep his place in net, with Luke O’Nien and Chris Mepham sat in-front, with Dennis Cirkin and Trai Hume either side of the centre-back pairing.
As for the midfield, decisions become very difficult for Le Bris, who will either stick or twist with his selection. On one hand he could utilise an unchanged side, or alternatively he could look to bring in Eliezer Mayenda, who has been regarded as ‘unbelievable’ on occasions this season. The Spaniard’s inclusion would see Le Bris change to a 4-4-2 formation, with the more attacking set-up seeing Enzo Le Fee and Patrick Roberts go wide, whilst Jobe Bellingham and Dan Neil sit in the centre-of-the-park.
This would, as a result, see Mayenda join a front-two alongside Wilson Isidor, with Chris Rigg dropping onto the bench.
Anthony Patterson; Trai Hume, Chris Mepham, Luke O’Nien, Dennis Cirkin; Dan Neil, Jobe Bellingham, Enzo Le Fee, Patrick Robets; Eliezer Mayenda, Wilson Isidor.