Can Sunderland maintain their strong start? What the data tells us
Sunderland could get a major double injury boost after the international break
Régis Le Bris has confirmed that Romaine Mundle and Dennis Cirkin are close to making their Sunderland returns.
The pair have been both absent so far this season, with Mundle undergoing surgery on his hamstring after suffering a recurrence of an injury during the club's pre-season training camp in Portugal. Cirkin, meanwhile, has been recovering from a long-term wrist injury as well as a knee issue. Both have returned to training over the past week, with Cirkin now set to start building his match fitness in the U21s. Sunderland are taking a patient approach with Mundle to ensure he makes a full recovery, but Le Bris has confirmed that he could be in contention to return to the squad when they travel to Fulham after the international break.
"Dennis will probably play with the U21s soon," Le Bris said.
"Romaine is close to playing as well, so we wanted to delay a bit Romaine's return because of his injury. A hamstring injury is a little bit different so we wanted consistency across two or three weeks where he could be in full training, and he's in a good place now. So he could be close for the Fulham game."
While Sunderland currently have players performing superbly in both positions, the news is significant ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations as both players could have a key role to play in that time.
Leo Hjelde has also revealed that he is back training on his social media, after having surgery on both achilles over the summer.
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What Régis Le Bris said about Omar Alderete ahead of Arsenal visit
Régis Le Bris has also 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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