Sunderland are back in action when they face Torreense in Leiria on Thursday evening
A busy schedule for Sunderland continues as they return to action against Torreense in Portugal on Thursday night.
The Black Cats could be without Thomas Meunier after he picked up a hamstring concern in the 2-0 defeat to Brighton, while at this stage Brian Brobbey and Habib Diarra are considered unlikely to be back in action.
So who could be set for a big opportunity, and who might miss out? Here we take a closer look at the options for Régis Le Bris...
The players who will be in contention for more minutes
Le Bris handed Omar Alderete a start in the opening group game against AZ Alkmaar, and the defender seems highly likely to start here as Sunderland look to protect some key players for the Premier League but also give minutes to those who need them. Alderete has been a little short of match fitness and rhythm so far this season, and these two European games over the next week are a perfect opportunity to build his confidence and momentum in Dan Ballard's absence.
If Meunier is indeed absent, then a reshuffled back four could also see Luke O'Nien come into the side to give Nordi Mukiele and/or Kevin Danso a rest. Dayann Methalie is another who would benefit from more competitive minutes. Further forward, Le Bris has fewer options to reshuffle his pack but will surely give Chris Rigg the opportunity to top up his match fitness and build some confidence ahead of a busy run of Premier League fixtures. Malick Fofana looks set to come into the starting XI and though Le Bris needs to ensure he has a starting XI capable of getting the job done, his first-choice midfield trio have a heavy workload and that could open the door for Jules Ahoka.
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The Echo’s Europa League coverage is sponsored by Renewable Energy Management Ltd, a leading provider of comprehensive renewable energy solutions based in the North East of England. | Renewable Energy Management Ltd.
And those who will miss out
Sunderland were forced to leave a number of senior squad members out of their Europa League list, with UEFA's homegrown player rules more stringent than the Premier League's. One significant consequence for this game is that it means Wilson Isidor will almost certainly have to lead the line in Brobbey's absence, even if Le Bris might otherwise have considered a rest ahead of that crucial game against Bournemouth. Juan Riquelme Angulo was brought in as the club's third striker on deadline day, but has not been registered for the league phase.
Similarly, Chemsdine Talbi was not named in the club's Europa League squad as at the time, he was in talks over a potential move abroad. Had Talbi ultimately departed, Sunderland would not have been able to replace him in their squad. Jocelin Ta Bi, Alan Browne and Melker Ellborg were all also left out of the squad and so won't be involved here.
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The youngsters who could be involved
The injuries in the squad and the absentees mentioned above mean that Sunderland will almost certainly take a cohort of their best academy players with them. Tom Proctor enjoyed a superb pre-season and has continued to impress with the U21s, and so is likely to be part of the travelling squad and could be named on the bench as he was against AZ Alkmaar. Timur Tutierov was handed a new contract in the summer in part with potential Carabao Cup and Europa League involvement in mind, and he is likely to travel for this one alongside defender Jenson Jones who can play across the back four and has often been part of senior training under Le Bris. A brace in a 2-2 draw with Arsenal U21s on Saturday may also have bolstered Trey Ogunsuyi's case for inclusion.
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