Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
WILSON Isidor will return to Sunderland in the coming week in fine goalscoring form ahead of a crucial spell of games in which the striker looks set to have to play a starring role.
Isidor bagged a brace as Haiti beat Dominican Republic 4-1 in the Concacaf Nations League in the early hours of Friday morning.
It took the striker's tally to three goals during the current international break, with Isidor having also scored in Haiti's 3-2 win over Trinidad and Tobago.
Haiti play Costa Rica in the early hours of Monday morning and Isidor will then head back for Wearside and start to prepare for a pivotal run of games in three competitions.
And with the Black Cats facing the prospect of being without Brian Brobbey, Isidor will need to step up.
RECOMMENDED READING:
What happens next if Sunderland were 'cheated' out of 2014 League Cup by Man City
What Regis Le Bris has noticed about Chris Rigg as July conversation revealed
Win tickets for Sunderland's Premier League game against Brighton at Stadium of Light
There's still no word on the severity of Brobbey's hamstring injury after he was forced off while playing for the Netherlands against Germany last week. The Sunderland striker was replaced in Xavi's squad and is understood to have returned to Wearside, as is also the case with Dan Ballard, who also suffered a hamstring injury while playing for Northern Ireland.
Being without both players will be a major blow for Regis Le Bris, whose side face seven games in 21 days, starting with Saturday's Premier League visit of Brighton. The Black Cats have two Europa League games and the Carabao Cup fourth round tie against Brentford before the month is out.
While Ballard's absence would be a big blow, Sunderland are very well stocked in defence, with the likes of Omar Alderete and Luke O'Nien ready to come in. Nordi Mukiele could also be moved inside and Trai Hume or Thomas Meunier could play at right-back.
But up-front Sunderland don't have as much depth. Deadline day signing Juan Riquelme Angulo will almost certainly get his first taste of action in the weeks ahead.
It's not clear at this stage whether Sunderland will provide an update on Ballard or Brobbey's injuries ahead of Regis Le Bris' press conference, which will take place at the back end of next week.
Ballard is not just a major player on the pitch but a key figure in the dressing room.
Chris Rigg said: "He's such a good lad. He comes across as this big guy, but he's really soft, really. And he's an outstanding footballer.
"He's come through the leagues and showed what he can do, and he's a really important part of our group on and off the pitch."