Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris may be forced into changes ahead of an upcoming clash with Preston North End.
Sunderland will welcome Preston North End to the Stadium of Light, where Regis Le Bris’ side will be hoping to notch a third successive win in the Championship.
Last time out, Sunderland defeated Cardiff City 2-1, with Eliezer Mayenda bagging a goal, whilst Chris Mepham got on the end of a brilliantly orchestrated set-piece to wrap up all three points.
The game saw Le Bris name unchanged side to the one that beat Sheffield Wednesday on their travels, but unfortunately for the Sunderland boss, he will likely be forced into changes for this midweek clash amid fitness and injury concerns.
Sunderland fitness and injury issues ahead of Preston North End clash
In the win against Cardiff City, Patrick Roberts picked up an injury, whilst after the game, Le Bris confirmed that Salis Abdul Samed will be out for a few weeks. With Roberts, the French boss suggested that it was just precautionary to replace him, and that he is still in contention.
Elsewhere, Ian Poveda also faces another spell on the sidelines, further depleting Le Bris’ wide options.
Enzo Le Fee and Dan Ballard remain sidelined for up to seven more weeks each, joining the evergrowing list of absentees, including Jayden Danns, Aji Alese, Niall Huggins, and Ahmed Abdullahi.
As a result of Sunderland’s current list of players unavailable, here is how they could line up against Preston North End.
Black Cats predicted XI vs Preston North End
Starting in goal for Sunderland will almost certainly be Anthony Patterson, who, despite recent errors, is Le Bris’ number one option to start in-between the sticks.
As for the defence, Le Bris will likely name an unchanged backline, which would see Trai Hume, Mepham, Luke O’Nien and Leo Hjelde start, the latter of which would be starting a third successive game for the first time since March 2024.
Going into midfield, Le Bris could look to rotate his options, with Alan Browne likely to depart the starting side as a result, which could see Jobe Bellingham and Dan Neil joined by Chris Rigg in the centre of the park.
Out wide, there are potential concerns over Roberts’ fitness, and with there being no obvious straight swap for the Englishman, we could see Mayenda shifted out wide as a result, with Romaine Mundle on the opposite flank. This would then see Wilson Isidor reintroduced to the starting side, having been given just substitute cameos in the last two.
Patterson (GK)
Hume
O’Nien
Mepham
Hjelde
Bellingham
Neil
Rigg
Mundle
Mayenda
Isidor