Can Sunderland maintain their strong start? What the data tells us
Sunderland are back in Premier League action against Arsenal at the Stadium of Light on Saturday
Régis Le Bris has confirmed that Omar Alderete will miss Arsenal’s visit to the Stadium of Light but says the defender will go on international duty with Paraguay next week.
Alderete had to step back from training after continuing to experience concussion symptoms, but is now close to completing the protocols. Alderete should be able to play some part in at least one of Paraguay’s upcoming friendlies, and Le Bris believes it will benefit everyone if he is able to build his match fitness ahead of the trip to Fulham.
Sunderland have no new injury concerns ahead of the game, and so look likely to name an unchanged squad.
“Yeah, he had to step back because of a residual symptom,” Le Bris said.
“So it's not really serious, but the conclusion protocol is really strict and we followed it. So he won't be available this weekend. Probably he will be able to get some minutes with his national team progressively and get ready for Fulham.
“I think he's in a good place and to get fit again, it will be necessary to play. So I think it will be nice for him and for us [if he gets some minutes for Paraguay]. Everyone else is OK.”
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Régis Le Bris discusses Sunderland’s challenge against Arsenal
Le Bris admitted that his Sunderland team will have to produce a ‘masterclass’ against the league leaders, who arrive at the Stadium of Light in imperious form.
“We have to be brave,” Le Bris said.
“We have to play our best football, and if we are afraid or a bit reserved against this team we’ll be punished. If we are too emotional, we’ll be punished. So it has to be a masterclass! It’s a perfect test after ten games. It’s exactly what we want - to be competitive in this league and to play against these great teams. It will be a different match, different game, but I think and hope we will be ready.”
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