Sunderland have an extensive list of injury worries ahead of their trip to St James’ Park
In the aftermath of Sunderland's 1-0 defeat to Brighton, Régis Le Bris gave an early insight into probably the biggest decision he will have to make ahead of Sunday's Tyne-Wear derby.
Le Bris was running through Sunderland's troublingly-long injury list, expressing his hope that Enzo Le Fée and Reinildo would be able to feature at St James' Park. Dan Ballard has also emerged as a key doubt, after experiencing some hamstring discomfort in the second half of the game.
On Nordi Mukiele, Le Bris admitted it could still go either way. Mukiele is expected to resume training this week, but his inclusion against Newcastle would be a risk: "Nordi is getting better, we'll see for next week. It's always the same: you can take the risk, he might play against Newcastle, but if we lose him for eight weeks after, it doesn't make sense. We are always on the edge so we'll try to manage the situation properly."
For the Sunderland fanbase the potential upside in what is the biggest game left this the season is obvious and were you to conduct a straw poll, most would surely come down on the side of rolling the dice. Internally, though, Sunderland have to put the player's welfare first and it could leave them with a tricky decision to make later this week. It is no exaggeration to say that it is a call that could define the game.
That's not the same as saying Sunderland can't get a result with Mukiele, as they clearly can and demonstrated in taking four crucial points from difficult away games at Bournemouth and Leeds recently. If Ballard were to be fit, a back four of Hume, Ballard, Alderete and Reinildo would be more than capable both in and out of possession. In both boxes, though, Mukiele has been a difference maker for Sunderland this season and the extent to which he has been missed over the last few weeks has probably gone a little under the radar. The focus has predominantly been on Granit Xhaka's fitness and understandably so, he is Sunderland's strongest player and most vocal leader on the pitch. Most insiders, though, would say that Mukiele comes a pretty close second in terms of his influence within the dressing room. He has played consistently at an exceptionally high level throughout his career, and is one of the players who Le Bris can count on to deliver in a pressurised environment.
Tactically, he has also been a crucial player for Le Bris this season. Much of Sunderland's success this season has come from their exceptionally strong defensive platform, allowing them to come through large spells without possession unscathed. They have also been one of the best sides in the division at defending their box, explaining why despite conceding a relatively large amounts of shots, their record has been consistently good. Sunday is unlikely to be any different: Sunderland will have to defend a lot of set pieces, win duels and put their bodies on the line over and over again. Mukiele is one of their best players on that front, and also one of their quickest.
What Mukiele's absence has additionally illustrated is how important he is in possession, too. Having initially broken into the XI as a centre back following his summer move, Mukiele played his best football in a red-and-white shirt having moved to his favoured right-back position. From there he began to consistently contribute in the final third as well as in defence, a crucial part of countless Sunderland goals of which one was of course Nick Woltemade's own goal in the reverse fixture. Mukiele's ability to make overlapping runs and desire to put early crosses into the box helped another layer and some unpredictability to a side that can look one-paced going forward, and has been badly missed since he limped off in the early stages of the defeat to Fulham.
The Sunderland duo were key to December derby win - and could be again here
Clearly, Sunday's fixture will not be a rerun of December's clash. Newcastle were surprisingly deferential in their approach at the Stadium of Light and on home turf, will be more proactive and attacking in their approach. Tactically Eddie Howe has also made some key tweaks since that game, the most notable being his decision to drop Woltemade into a midfield role and move Anthony Gordon through the middle. Gordon's speed and pressing look a better fit for Howe's system, and he will be a handful for Sunderland's centre backs who looked so comfortable in their physical battle with Woltemade.
Nevertheless, absolutely central to Sunderland's win at the Stadium of Light was the extent to which Mukiele and Reinildo dominated their 1-v-1 battles and how they were able to offer width and speed to their team's attack. Both have been huge absentees over the past month, and their returns would improve Sunderland's prospects immeasurably. It will be one of the biggest calls Le Bris and Sunderland make between now and the end of the campaign.
Régis Le Bris’s early Sunderland injury update ahead of Tyne-Wear derby
Speaking after the 1-0 defeat to Brighton, Le Bris revealed that Wilson Isidor was managing a minor knock.
“It wasn't possible [to bring Wilson on] because he got an injury,” Le Bris said.
“We were really on the edge. We were cautious. We could have pushed him, but it was risky. Rather than taking risks, it was the case for Brian as well. Brian can go all the way, but because we pushed until the end rather than keeping 65-70 minutes because it was the load expected, we can lose another player.
“At the minute, we are struggling a bit. We are just on the edge, but we try our best to keep the team safe. Dan had discomfort with his hamstring, so we hope it isn't too serious. We expect Enzo to be ready for Newcastle, it might be possible. For Nilson, we'll have to wait at least four to six weeks. Reinildo will train with us tomorrow [Sunday], so that's good news. Nordi is getting better, we'll see for next week. It's always the same: you can take the risk, he might play against Newcastle, but if we lose him for eight weeks after, it doesn't make sense. We are always on the edge so we'll try to manage the situation properly.”
Robin Roefs is also a major doubt with a hamstring issue, with Melker Ellborg on standby to continue in goal if he does not recover in time.
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