Leeds United welcome the Black Cats to Elland Road three days after facing Manchester City this weekend.
Sunderland have been rocked by four fresh injury concerns ahead of their midweek visit to Leeds United next Tuesday.
The Black Cats fell to their third straight Premier League defeat at home to Fulham on Sunday with several fitness issues emerging during the 3-1 loss. Standout defender Nordi Mukiele left the pitch in tears after initially going down under no contact with debutant winger Jocelin Ta Bi also limping off before half-time.
Speaking after the game, Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris then revealed concern over forward pair Brian Brobbey and Romaine Mundle, both of whom received medical treatment on the day. The Black Cats travel to Bournemouth this weekend before a Tuesday-evening trip to Elland Road next week.
“It's a bit early to say, so we had Nordi, Jocelin, Brian, maybe Romaine as well, so it was a tough day,” Le Bris told the Sunderland Echo of those injuries. “Dennis [Cirkin] also missed the game with an injury so at the minute it's a tough period, but it is what it is, we have to accept it and move forward.”
Mukiele’s injury in particular looked concerning, with the French defender going down with no Fulham players around him. After attempting to play on, he was eventually forced off inside 12 minutes and appeared to wipe away tears as he was replaced by Lutsharel Geetruida.
The 28-year-old has been a key part of Sunderland’s impressive season since joining from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, registering one goal and three assists in 25 Premier League appearances. Fellow defender Trai Hume is the only outfielder to play more than Mukiele’s 2,163 top-flight minutes.
In a post on Instagram, Mukiele hinted at a longer-term issue. Alongside a picture of himself receiving treatment, the defender wrote: “Doesn’t matter how long it will take... I promise you one thing: I WILL BE BACK STRONGER.”
Injury issues piling up for Sunderland ahead of Leeds United
Dennis Cirkin missed Sunderland’s weekend defeat due to a minor issue, with the full-back joining Mukiele, Ta Bi, Brobbey and Mundle in the treatment room. Le Bris will be expected to provide more clarity on all five injury doubts later this week.
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One player certain not to be playing at Elland Road on Tuesday is Reinildo Mandava, who is set to be out for around one month with a knee injury. It remains to be seen who will join the Mozambique international in watching next week’s game against Leeds from the sidelines.
The Whites will also be buoyed by the kick-off time next week, having won all five night games in front of their own fans this season. Farke’s side drew 1-1 at Aston Villa last time out and have the small matter of hosting title contenders Manchester City to come on Saturday before next week’s visit of Sunderland.
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