Nordi Mukiele, Brian Brobbey & Jocelin Ta Biplaceholder image
Nordi Mukiele, Brian Brobbey & Jocelin Ta Bi | Getty Images
The latest Sunderland injury news ahead of their Premier League match against Bournemouth - including updates on Nordi Mukiele and Brian Brobbey.
Sunderland face a challenging trip to Bournemouth this Saturday, a match which could have a significant impact on both sides’ chances of challenging for European places at the end of the season – but Régis Le Bris’ preparations could be hampered by a string of fresh injuries.
No fewer than four players picked up knocks during the 3-1 defeat to Fulham last weekend, with Nordi Mukiele, Brian Brobbey, Jocelin Ta Bi and Romaine Mundle all concerns heading into the weekend – and there are at least three other first-team stars who are either out or doubts ahead of the game at the Vitality Stadium.
With kick-off fast approaching, we’ve collected all of the latest Sunderland injury news below along with the absent players’ expected return dates when available.
How bad are the injuries suffered by Nordi Mukiele, Brian Brobbey and others?
Of the four players who appeared to pick up injuries during the defeat to Fulham, the fitness of defender Nordi Mukiele – who attempted to run off an apparent calf injury before being withdrawn after just 12 minutes – provokes the most concern.
Following his early withdrawal, the Frenchman posted that it “doesn’t matter how long it will takes... I promise you one thing: I will be back stronger” on social media, a comment which strongly implies that he expected a relatively lengthy lay-off. Most calf injuries take between four and eight weeks to fully heal, although the nature and extent of the problem has not yet been confirmed by the club.
Sunderland will also be left sweating on the availability of striker Brian Brobbey, who went down shortly before being substituted in the second half, new signing Jocelin Ta Bi, who had to be taken off just before half-time, and winger Romaine Mundle, who had to be helped from the field of play by a physio after the final whistle.
As it stands, there are no immediate indications that any of the three have suffered serious injuries, but the club have yet to offer a full medical update and all of them must be considered doubts heading into the match against Bournemouth. When asked about his potentially-injured players immediately after the match, Le Bris simply told the media that it was “too early to say” how significant any of the issue were, but added that it had been a “tough day.”
Reinildo among other Sunderland injuries ahead of Bournemouth match
As well as the four victims of the Fulham game, three further first-team players are in danger of missing out this weekend for Sunderland – with full-back Reinildo Mandava likely to be out of action for the longest.
The summer signing sustained a knee injury during the recent 1-0 loss to Liverpool and is expected to be sidelined for around four weeks in total, with Le Bris telling the media that Reinildo was targeting the Tyne & Wear Derby on 22 March for his comeback.
Left-back Dennis Cirkin also sustained what Le Bris described as a “small” hamstring injury during training last week, and missed the Fulham match as a result. He remains a doubt ahead of the game against Bournemouth, but is not expected to miss significant time.
Winger Bertrand Traoré, meanwhile, is dealing with a minor knee injury, with Le Bris suggesting ahead of last weekend that he would return to training this week with an eye to being involved against Bournemouth on Saturday.
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