Sunderland Boosted By Leeds United Injury Update As Key Stars Doubtful For Clash

Sunderland take on Leeds United in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, with Daniel Farke potentially without multiple key players for the fixture. 

The Black Cats head into the game on a four-game losing streak in the league, which has led to Regis Le Bris’ side slumping to the foot of the top flight table following last weekend’s 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth. 

Following the abject loss at the Vitality Stadium, Sunderland drew 1-1 with Lech Poznan in the Europa League on Thursday evening, with Timur Tutierov’s second-minute opener cancelled out in the second to force the Black Cats to settle for a point against the Polish champions. 

Now, Sunderland attention turns to the visit of Leeds to the Stadium of Light on Sunday, which is now arguably the Black Cats’ most important game of the campaign thus far, given the worrying form exhibited by Le Bris’ side.

Thankfully for Le Bris, Farke could be without several standout Leeds players for the top flight fixture, which could turn the tide in Sunderland’s favour for victory. 

Farke will be without central defender Joe Rodon for the trip to Wearside, and could also be without frontman Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is currently carrying a knock after netting the equaliser against Manchester United last time out. 

Ahead of Sunday’s clash against Sunderland, Farke told his pre-match press conference that there were also question marks over midfielder Anton Stach and forward Noah Okafor, which Sunderland boss Le Bris could take encouragement from their potential absence. sd

Farke said: “Joe Rodon is still out. (Dominic) Calvert-Lewin is struggling with a bruised foot.

“Question mark over Anton Stach and Noah Okafor has some adductor problems. Dan James is in contention for this game.”

Whether Calvert-Lewis, who has four goals in seven Premier League outings for Leeds already this season, is fit enough to make the bench or even start remains to be seen, but it would be a welcome selection blow by Sunderland for Farke to see the in-form striker sidelined. 

From the Black Cats’ perspective, Brian Brobbey is set to return for Sunderland against Leeds and displace Tutierov, with Thomas Meunier and Wilson Isidor both doubtful for the clash. 

Fit-again Habib Diarra was introduced off the bench at Bournemouth by Le Bris and started the Europa League affair against Poznan, and his return to the squad is also another bonus for the Black Cats, particularly given that the Senegalese talent scored the winning goal from the penalty spot the last time the two sides met back in March last season. 

With Sunderland rock bottom of the table, it is imperative for Le Bris’ side to return to winning ways in the league after four consecutive defeats, and seventh-placed Leeds will certainly be another difficult test.

However, it would be one that should be much more manageable if Calvert-Lewin, who scored the equaliser for Leeds at the Stadium of Light in December of last season with a deft flick, is ruled out this time around.