LUKE O’NIEN is a doubt for Sunderland’s home game with Bristol City tomorrow as he is struggling with an illness.
But Wilson Isidor should be fit enough to lead the line at the Stadium of Light despite having hobbled out of Saturday’s victory over Stoke City with cramp.
O’Nien played the full 90 minutes against the Potters even though, like Patrick Roberts, he had been struggling with an illness issue prior to the game.While Roberts has fully recovered, O’Nien continues to be affected by the same illness complaint and is regarded as a major doubt for the game against Bristol City.
“I don’t know with Luke right now, whether or not he will be available for tomorrow,” said Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris at his pre-match press conference. “But for the others, they are available.”If O’Nien is unable to feature against Bristol City, Chris Mepham is likely to partner Dan Ballard at the heart of the back four after serving a one-match suspension at the weekend.The Northern Echo
Luke O’Nien is doubt for Bristol City because of illness issue
24 mins ago
Sunderland AFC
By Scott Wilson
scottwilsonecho
Chief Sports Writer
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Sunderland defender Luke O’Nien (Image: Ian Horrocks)
Sunderland defender Luke O’Nien (Image: Ian Horrocks)
LUKE O’NIEN is a doubt for Sunderland’s home game with Bristol City tomorrow as he is struggling with an illness.
But Wilson Isidor should be fit enough to lead the line at the Stadium of Light despite having hobbled out of Saturday’s victory over Stoke City with cramp.
O’Nien played the full 90 minutes against the Potters even though, like Patrick Roberts, he had been struggling with an illness issue prior to the game.
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While Roberts has fully recovered, O’Nien continues to be affected by the same illness complaint and is regarded as a major doubt for the game against Bristol City.
“I don’t know with Luke right now, whether or not he will be available for tomorrow,” said Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris at his pre-match press conference. “But for the others, they are available.”
If O’Nien is unable to feature against Bristol City, Chris Mepham is likely to partner Dan Ballard at the heart of the back four after serving a one-match suspension at the weekend.
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“Chris is very important for us because he is experienced and he knows the level,” said Le Bris. “He is a good player, so it is a good problem for me and the staff to have good players in the same area. They can push each other, and when we have suspensions or injuries, we can still have a good back four. It’s a good problem, I think.”
Isidor was unable to complete Saturday’s game and was replaced by Leo Hjelde in injury time, but the issue that forced him off was a minor one and he is set to continue to lead the line tomorrow.
“It was just a bit of cramp at the end with Wilson,” said Le Bris. “He should be okay.”
Le Bris opted to start with Aji Alese at left-back at the weekend, with Dennis Cirkin on the bench as he returned to the squad following wrist surgery.
Cirkin has resumed full training, but Le Bris remains reluctant to take any unnecessary risks with the defender, who was a clear first-choice at left-back prior to his injury lay-off.
“Dennis was out for two-and-a-half weeks,” said Le Bris. It was a long period with his surgery, and he needs time to rebuild his foundations. It depends on the profile of the player, but Dennis is explosive so he needs a little more time. When he is ready, it will be very useful for the team because he is a good player.”
