Sunderland will be without two key players for their Premier League clash against Fulham this weekend, according to manager Regis Le Bris.
It has been quite a ride for Sunderland this season.
wilson-isidor-sunderland
Le Bris has guided the Black Cats to 11th in the Premier League table in their first campaign back in the top flight, a remarkable achievement for a club that was playing Championship football just 12 months ago.
They have been well organised, difficult to beat at home and full of the kind of energy and belief that newly promoted sides rarely sustain for an entire season.
But, it has not been without its bumps.
A 1-0 defeat to Liverpool at the Stadium of Light last time out ended their impressive unbeaten home run, a run that had been one of the defining stories of their season.
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Le Bris acknowledged the disappointment but was quick to put it in perspective, insisting that a single result does not change who his side are.
"We were aware of the fragility of the run because the Premier League is so demanding," the Sunderland head coach said.
"If it's broken that doesn't mean we aren't able to be strong at home again."
The visit of Fulham on Sunday gives them the immediate opportunity to prove exactly that.
Marco Silva's side sit just two points behind Sunderland in 12th and arrive at the Stadium of Light on the back of three consecutive league defeats.
For both clubs, this is a fixture that carries real significance in terms of where they finish in the final third of the season.
Le Bris, however, will have to navigate Sunday's game minus a few key men.
Reinildo
He confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Reinildo will miss the fixture after picking up a knee injury during the Liverpool defeat. The news is better than initially feared — the first diagnosis was concerning, but a second assessment provided more grounds for optimism.
Even so, Le Bris confirmed the defender faces a minimum absence of three to four weeks, meaning he will not return until at least the trip to Brighton.
Reinildo has dominated the headlines with his prolonged absence, but he isn't the only Sunderland star who won't be playing against Fulham.
Sunderland star Bertrand Traore set to miss Fulham game with Reinildo
Indeed, Le Bris also confirmed that injured winger Bertrand Traore is set to miss the clash as well.
Bertrand-Traore
The forward has been sidelined since picking up a knee injury at AFCON, with the Burkina Faso captain missing their last five Premier League games.
Traore could re-join the group next week, but Fulham comes too soon for the 86-cap African.
“Next week he [Traore] will rejoin the group and might be available soon," said Le Bris.
“Reinildo won’t be available for at least three or four weeks. Knee injury so he’ll potentially be back after Brighton."
It is a blow nonetheless.
Traore's pace and directness are qualities Sunderland could use against a Fulham side that have been leaky at the back this season, conceding 40 goals in 26 games, with Le Bris previously calling the 30-year-old a 'dangerous' outlet.
There was better news, however, about Granit Xhaka.
Xhaka-Sunderland
The Swiss midfielder has been sidelined with an ankle issue but has returned to full training this week and is in contention to feature.
"Granit has more or less trained fully this week so is available for selection," Le Bris confirmed.
"He'll have to respect the process, but it's good because now we have three or four midfielders available. The competition is important in the group."
Xhaka's comes back to add composure and grit to a midfield after starring for the Black Cats this season.
Le Bris now has his sights firmly set on a positive result, and the ex-Arsenal man's return is a major lift.
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