The latest news from Sunderland as another Black Cats star is set to feature at this summer's World Cup finals.
The Black Cats already have 11 members of the squad that secured a historic qualification for next season’s Europa League set to feature at the tournament - and that figure has been unexpectedly swelled to 12 by the news loan signing Lutsharel Geertruida has been called up to the Netherlands squad after Gunners star Jurriën Timber failed to recover from a groin injury that ruled him out of the final month of his side’s Premier League title win and limited him to just 54 minutes of their Champions League final loss against Paris Saint-Germain.
Geertruida has spent the last season on loan at the Stadium of Light after a deal was agreed with Bundesliga club RB Leipzig and the versatile defender went on to make 30 appearances during his time on Wearside. It seems unlikely he will form part of the Sunderland squad that will prepare for a historic season as he is set to return to Leipzig as it stands - but Geertruida will get a chance to impress with the Netherlands as they face Japan, Sweden and Tunisia in the group stage of the World Cup.
A statement released by the Netherlands FA on Monday read: “Jurriën Timber misses the 2026 World Cup. The 24-year-old defender has not recovered sufficiently from a groin injury to take part in the World Cup in a medically responsible manner. In consultation with the medical staff, it has therefore been decided that Timber will leave the national team’s pre-camp in New York after the game against Uzbekistan. We’re with you, Jurriën. Ronald Koeman has called up Lutsharel Geertruida (Sunderland) as Timber’s replacement. This brings the Netherlands squad at the base camp in Kansas back to 26 players.”
Black Cats winger shines at international tournament
Jocelin Ta Bi in action for Sunderland. Pic by Chris Fryattplaceholder image
Jocelin Ta Bi in action for Sunderland. Pic by Chris Fryatt | Chris Fryatt
Sunderland winger Jocelin Ta Bi will not form part of the Ivory Coast squad that will compete at the World Cup - but he has impressed for his country at Under-21 level in recent days.
The 21-year-old joined the Black Cats from Israeli side Maccabi Netanya in January and made just two appearances before an ankle injury hampered his involvement before the end of the season. Ta Bi was an unused substitute in Sunderland’s last four games of the season and returned to fitness in time to be selected for the Ivory Coast Under-21s’ squad for the Maurice Revello Tournament (formerly known as the Toulon Tournament) in France.
Ta Bi scored the opening goal for his side in what was an entertaining 3-3 draw with Japan in a game held in France last Monday before repeating that trick in a 3-1 win against Venezuela just two days later. Ta Bi was not in the squad for a goalless draw against Portugal on Saturday but returned to the starting eleven and struck a brace in a 2-1 win against Canada on Tuesday night. The latter result ensured Ta Bi’s side will progress to the semi-final of the competition and they will discover their last four opponents over the coming days with Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, China and Congo all in contention.
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