Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris has one or two selection calls to make ahead of his side’s Championship clash against Oxford United.
For the midweek Championship game at Luton Town, Regis Le Bris made just the one Sunderland change. But it was a surprising change.
Le Bris axed Patrick Roberts, pushed Chris Rigg out to the right and put Alan Browne in midfield, alongside Jobe Bellingham, with Dan Neil behind.
The change proved helpful with Neil putting in a good shift against Luton Town, providing the assist for Romaine Mundle’s winning goal as Sunderland beat Luton Town 2-1 at Kenilworth Road.
Rigg was the other scorer too, showing some good signs in that new right-sided role as Sunderland keep their spot at the top of the Championship table going into this weekend.
Dan Ballard injury latest and Sunderland team news
Sunderland fans are eagerly waiting for Dan Ballard to be given the all-clear. But speaking to the press on Thursday, Le Bris was unable to give him the all-clear.
The Frenchman says that Ballard, along with striker Eliezer Mayenda, will once again miss out this weekend, with no return date given for the pair.
Ballard and Mayenda are sidelined for Sunderland along with Jenson Seelt, Aji Alese, Niall Huggins, Ian Poveda, Salis Abdul Samed, and Ahmed Abdullahi.
Sunderland predicted XI vs Oxford United, Regis Le Bris faces midfield dilemma
Le Bris may well have made the changes that he did for Luton to combat the Hatter’s physicality.
Bellingham in the middle gave Sunderland some steel, along with Browne coming in, but they might not need the same against Oxford United at the Stadium of Light this weekend.
Oxford, like Sunderland, are a much more technical team. With that in mind, Le Bris might revert to his usual 4-2-3-1 formation.
But speaking ahead of this weekend, Le Bris says he’s unsure if Roberts starts for Sunderland against Oxford United, suggesting that he might once again deploy Rigg out wide.
Elsewhere, expect Wilson Isidor to keep his spot up top, but expect Aaron Connolly to make another appearance off the bench for the Black Cats.
We could see an unchanged back-line despite Trai Hume being one yellow card away from suspension, along with Rigg and Bellingham who are all on four yellow cards.
Here’s how we think Sunderland will line up against Oxford United this weekend…
Patterson (GK)
Cirkin
O’Nien
Mepham
Hume
Neil
Bellingham
Mundle
Rigg
Roberts
Isidor
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