Sunderland will be without several players for the visit of Oxford United on Saturday, in a 3pm kick off on Wearside.
Sunderland are back on home soil this weekend where they welcome Oxford United, who’ve so far been a pleasant surprise in the Championship this season.
Following their promotion via the League One play-offs last time round, the U’s are now proving tough to beat in the second tier having drawn their last five, currently sitting in 11th.
Regis Le Bris’ side though are top of the Championship table after back-to-back wins on the road; first winning 1-0 at Hull City, before Sunderland beat Luton Town 2-1 at Kenilworth Road in an eventful and entertaining watch.
Oxford United manager Des Buckingham looks set to take charge this weekend, after a health scare during his midweek clash against Derby County meant that he couldn’t do the post-match interviews.
Sunderland team and injury news vs Oxford United
During his presser on Friday, Le Bris has once again ruled duo Eliezer Mayenda and Dan Ballard out of action.
All week, it’s seemed as though both players have been on the verge of returning. But before each game, the pair have been ruled out.
Le Bris says that neither player will be risked until they’re fully ready to return to action, offering no indication as to when either player might be back.
The Black Cats remain without their longer-term absentees; Salis Abdul Samed, Ahmed Abdullahi, Ian Poveda, Aji Alese, and Jenson Seelt.
Sunderland defender Niall Huggins may be sidelined until 2025 per a recent update on the defender.
Regis Le Bris’ Patrick Roberts dilemma
For the midweek game at Luton Town, Le Bris made a rather unexpected change to the XI by dropping Patrick Roberts and moving Chris Rigg to the right, with Alan Browne coming into a three-strong central midfield.
Roberts had a poor season with Sunderland last time round. But he’s looked much brighter this season having featured in all 11 Championship games so far and starting 10 of them.
The 27-year-old, who joined Sunderland in 2022, also has a goal and three assists to his name this season. But asked whether or not Roberts will return to the XI against Oxford, Le Bris simply said: “We will see. I don’t know.”
Patrick Roberts vs Chris Rigg stats
Le Bris now seems to have a toss up between Roberts and Rigg on the right, should he stick with the same shape that played at Luton Town.
Whilst Roberts has three assists in the Championship this season, Rigg now has three goals in what’s proving to be a whirlwind season for the 17-year-old.
Roberts has the joint-most goal contributions of any Sunderland player this season (four), as well as the most big chances created (three compared to Rigg’s one).
The experienced winger also averages more accurate passes-per-game (24.5 compared to Rigg’s 17.5), whilst averaging the most key passes-per-game of any Sunderland player (1.7 compared to Rigg’s 0.7).
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