Sunderland Predicted Starting XI For Coventry City Trip Amid Regis Le Bris' Injury Update

Sunderland face a trip to Coventry City in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon in perhaps the most important game in the Black Cats' season so far.

Regis Le Bris' side have looked rejuvenated over the last week after a four-game losing streak in the top flight, with Sunderland's goalless stalemate against Leeds United last weekend showing improvement in both defence and attack from the Black Cats.

Following that, Sunderland beat Brentford 3-2 in the Carabao Cup fourth round despite Le Bris making 11 changes from the Leeds draw, courtesy of a ruthless attacking display in the first half that saw Chemsdine Talbi, Timur Tutierov and Malick Fofana find the net, with Jocelin Ta Bi shining for the Black Cats with three assists.

Now, Sunderland are desperate for their first Premier League win since late August to get them off the foot of the top flight table, meaning that Le Bris' starting XI selection process will have to be perfect given how imperative it is to get three points off Frank Lampard's fellow struggles on Saturday.

Ahead of the Coventry clash, Le Bris confirmed in his pre-match press conference that striker Wilson Isidor should be available for the fixture after weeks on the sidelines, but Nordi Mukiele remains doubtful after being forced against Leeds on Sunday following an unfortunate collision with teammate Luke O'Nien.

With Thomas Meunier, Habib Diarra and Brian Brobbey fully fit again, and Kevin Danso returning from suspension after serving his one-match ban following his dismissal in the deflating defeat at Bournemouth, Le Bris has an almost full-strength Sunderland squad to choose from, barring longer-term absentees Dan Ballard and Romaine Mundle.

Robin Roefs will come back in as goalkeeper after being rested in midweek, but in defence is where Le Bris has decisions to make.

Meunier did feature for the last 30 minutes against Brentford, but Trai Hume will likely start at right-back, with Reinildo Mandava also returning to the opposite full-back role.

In central defence, given the fitness doubts surrounding Mukiele, Le Bris may opt for Omar Alderete alongside Luke O'Nien, who deserves to start against Coventry after his outstanding defensive display against Leeds.

Midfield trio of captain Granit Xhaka, energetic midfielder Noah Sadiki and playmaker Enzo Le Fee will all inevitably return to the Sunderland starting XI after being rested, but thankfully not missed, in the midweek cup clash.

Ahead of Coventry, the major selection decision Le Bris must make for Sunderland is to continue with two natural wingers, as he did so against the Bees with Fofana and Ta Bi out wide and Tutierov leading the line, with the Black Cats looking far more dangerous and intense in the final third as a result.

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Given how impressive Nilson Angulo was for Sunderland against Leeds, the Ecuadorian winger deserves to retain his left-wing spot, and Brobbey will once again be the physical attacking spearhead in the central role.

Thus, leaving the right-wing position as the biggest selection dilemma for Le Bris ahead of Saturday. 

Ta Bi was in stunning form in midweek, but the importance of the fixture combined with his inexperience in Premier League action will likely mean that Le Bris opts for Fofana or Diarra down the right flank of attack, with either option showing much better attacking intent than either Meunier or Hume.

Hopefully, Le Bris continues this positive Sunderland change, and offers Fofana the opportunity to build on his first red-and-white goal and cause Coventry problems down their left channel with his pace and renewed sense of confidence.

Sunderland Predicted Starting XI Vs Coventry: Roefs, Hume, O'Nien, Alderete, Reinildo, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee, Angulo, Fofana, Brobbey.