How will Sunderland cope without Reinildo during AFCON?
Sunderland play the Wear-Tyne derby next weekend
Sunderland have been handed a major boost for next weekend's Wear-Tyne derby after both Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki avoided picking up their fifth yellow card of the season against Man City.
Head coach Régis Le Bris acted quickly after Phil Foden had put Manchester City 3-0 ahead at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon, withdrawing both players and bringing on Romaine Mundle and Simon Adingra. Some fans had hoped that the pair might be rested to avoid a suspension for next weekend, but Le Bris made clear ahead of the game that he wouldn't go down that road.
"Today [at Liverpool] it shows that we can win points everywhere," Le Bris said on Wednesday night.
"So maybe it means that we'll have this opportunity against City. So we'll try to play with our best team, knowing that this problem can appear. At the minute I think our players managed the situation properly."
Le Bris nevertheless acted quickly when City ended what had been a strong Sunderland resistance at the start of the second half, who battled back from a long-range Ruben Dias strike and a header from Josko Gvardiol in the first half. They spurned two big chances through Wilson Isidor and Xhaka shortly before Foden's strike, which came after a fine piece of footwork from the hugely impressive Rayan Cherki.
The travelling supporters clearly approved of the decision, with loud applause and cheers audible from the away end as attentions began to turn to that game next week.
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Reinildo expected to return for Newcastle United clash
Sunderland are also expected to have Reinildo available for selection for the Wear-Tyne derby. The influential left back was a surprise absentee at Manchester City on Saturday but the Black Cats moved quickly to allay any concerns that he could be absent at the Stadium of Light next weekend.
A club statement said: “Reinildo misses today’s game due to a minor groin injury, but is expected be available next weekend.”
Dennis Cirkin meanwhile took another step towards being in contention for first team selection by completing 90 minutes for the U21s at Eppleton earlier on Saturday as they narrowly lost 2-1 to Manchester City. Cirkin is unlikely to be in the squad next weekend but will have a big part ot play in the squad when Reinildo and Arthur Masuaku depart for AFCON days later.
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