Sunderland welcome Brighton to the Stadium of Light next weekend
Sunderland return from the long international break next Saturday when they face Brighton at the Stadium of Light.
A tough start to the campaign gets no easier as the Black Cats welcome a side who have made a superb start to the Premier League campaign. Régis Le Bris has some huge selection decisions to make, which will be guided by some significant injury concerns. Both Brian Brobbey and Dan Ballard have picked up knocks on international duty, though at this stage there has been no confirmation as to their severity.
Here’s our early prediction as to how the Black Cats might shape up...
Roefs is firmly established as the club's number one goalkeeper and is certain to continue here.
Roefs is firmly established as the club's number one goalkeeper and is certain to continue here.
We don't yet know whether Dan Ballard will be available, but hamstring injuries rarely clear so quickly. If he is not, Le Bris has a tough call to make. Nordi Mukiele is exceptional at right back and offers so much in attack, but equally has always performed strongly at centre back. With Omar Alderete not in his best form this season as he builds match fitness after a knee injury, Le Bris might well opt for a cautious approach if Ballard is indeed absent.
We don't yet know whether Dan Ballard will be available, but hamstring injuries rarely clear so quickly. If he is not, Le Bris has a tough call to make. Nordi Mukiele is exceptional at right back and offers so much in attack, but equally has always performed strongly at centre back. With Omar Alderete not in his best form this season as he builds match fitness after a knee injury, Le Bris might well opt for a cautious approach if Ballard is indeed absent.
Le Bris likes to play Mukiele at right back wherever possible for the additional attacking threat he brings but his performance at centre back against Fulham suggests he might be the best option to replace Ballard if the defender isn't available.
Le Bris likes to play Mukiele at right back wherever possible for the additional attacking threat he brings but his performance at centre back against Fulham suggests he might be the best option to replace Ballard if the defender isn't available.
Danso has made a superb start to his Sunderland career and will surely be in the starting XI regardless of Ballard's fitness.
Danso has made a superb start to his Sunderland career and will surely be in the starting XI regardless of Ballard's fitness. | Getty Images