Sunderland's latest injury news ahead of their clash with Newcastle United on Sunday.placeholder image
Sunderland's latest injury news ahead of their clash with Newcastle United on Sunday. | Getty Images
Sunderland travel to St. James’ Park for an eagerly anticipated Tyne-Wear derby this weekend
Sunderland will hope to complete a memorable double over arch-rivals Newcastle United when the two clubs go to battle in the second Tyne-Wear derby of the Premier League season at St. James’ Park on Sunday (12:00pm GMT).
The Black Cats have enjoyed a very impressive first season back in the top flight following promotion via the Championship play-offs last term, even challenging for the European spots at one point, and have already reached the 40-point mark with eight matches of the season yet to play. They won 1-0 over Newcastle in December, thanks to a Nick Woltemade own goal in his first appearance in the fiercely-contested fixture.
The Toon, meanwhile, recently rose above their neighbours and into the top half of the table after victory at Stamford Bridge. They might be fragile after a devastating result in midweek, though, as they lost 7-2 at Barcelona in the Champions League to go out 8-3 on aggregate, with four unanswered goals in the second half of the return leg.
Sunderland have several injury concerns ahead of the derby, with late fitness checks to go ahead for multiple key players before the match. They were boosted by the returns of Granit Xhaka and Brian Brobbey to the starting XI last time out and will hope to have an even bigger squad of players available to face the Toon.
Will Dan Ballard be back to face Newcastle?
Influential defender Dan Ballard was replaced just past the hour mark with injury in the 1-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion last time out, and Sunderland will be sweating on the fitness of the 26-year-old for the derby. Régis Le Bris said at full-time: “Dan had discomfort with his hamstring, so we hope it isn't too serious.”
The Black Cats will hope to have Ballard back in time to face Newcastle, with his fitness a doubt at present. As is the same for joint-top scorer Enzo Le Fée, who missed out against Brighton with an unknown injury. Manager Le Bris has said that he “expects [Le Fée] to be ready for Newcastle, it might be possible”.
First-choice goalkeeper Robin Roefs will also aim to be back in time for the biggest match left in Sunderland’s season, having missed the last two with a hamstring injury. Le Bris suggested the Dutchman would return to training this week and so his status at present remains uncertain. Full-back Reinildo is also a doubt but is expected to return for the clash.
Mukiele and Isidor also doubts amid growing Sunderland injury list
Defender Nordi Mukiele has missed the last three matches for the Black Cats with a calf injury and will face a race against time to be fit in time for the derby.
Le Bris said last weekend: “Nordi is getting better, we'll see for next week. It's always the same: you can take the risk, he might play vs 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.”
Meanwhile, striker Wilson Isidor was on the bench against Brighton at the Stadium of Light but was not deemed fit enough to be brought on, as Le Bris claimed he was being “cautious” over the 25-year-old.
In terms of longer-term absentees, Bertrand Traore is out with a knee injury which is expected to last six to eight weeks and will see him miss this one, with a possible return date in late April or early May. He is joined on the treatment table by fellow winger Jocelin Ta Bi, who injured his ankle on his Premier League debut against Fulham and might be out for the remainder of the season. Romaine Mundle is out with a thigh injury to further lessen the Black Cats’ options in attacking areas, while Nilson Angulo is also out for a believed four to six weeks.
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