Newcastle United latest news: Sunderland could be without eight key players this weekend with major doubts over four of their star players.
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris is hopeful of having a number of key players back in action this weekend when they make the trip to St James’ Park.
The Black Cats take on Newcastle United knowing that a win would seal a Premier League double over their fierce rivals and ensure that they would enter the international break sat above the Magpies in the Premier League table. Newcastle United, meanwhile, will be desperate to bounce back from their defeat at the Camp Nou on Wednesday night and earn bragging rights against their fierce rivals.
Eddie Howe’s side have won their last two Premier League matches, with victories over Manchester United and Chelsea forcing them back into the picture for European qualification. The Magpies will enter Sunday’s game sat two points above their visitors in the Premier League table and know that a win could even see them end the weekend sat 7th in the table depending on results elsewhere.
Sunderland team and injury news v Newcastle United
Heading into Sunday’s game, Sunderland have a number of injury concerns to deal with and could be missing up to eight first-team players for their trip to St James’ Park. Bertrand Traore, Jocelin Ta Bi, Romaine Mundle and Nilson Angulo will all miss out this weekend through injury.
There are also major doubts over the fitness of goalkeeper Robin Roefs, defenders Nordi Mukiele and Dan Ballard and midfielder Enzo Le Fee. Speaking about that group at his pre-match press conference, Le Bris confirmed that they are all hopeful of returning to action on Sunday, but couldn’t guarantee that any of them would feature for certain on Tyneside.
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"We'll have a late assessment for them,” Le Bris said. “We know already the medical decision and won't take unnecessary risks. They 100 percent want to play.”
Le Bris also confirmed that Reinildo would be fit to play on Sunday after a period on the sidelines. The Mozambique international hasn’t featured for the Black Cats since their defeat against Liverpool last month after suffering a knee injury.
Following a very good start to life back in the top-flight, Sunderland’s form has hit the buffers recently and they were defeated on home turf by Brighton and Hove Albion last time out. Yankuba Minteh’s goal secured the win for the Seagulls on that day, handing Le Bris’ side their third defeat in five outings in all competitions - a run that included an FA Cup giant killing at the hands of League One’s basement club Port Vale.
Asked if his side were getting complacent after hitting the 40-point mark, the Black Cats boss said: "I don't think at all. I feel the mood in the dressing room after Brighton, there's no complacency. They want to win.
On the emotion of a derby game, he added: "We know in this region the derby means a lot.
"It's emotion and control. If something goes wrong, you have to manage different events. For me, we want to be the underdog, intense but with control. We'll see how it goes."
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