Latest Injury and Team News Ahead of Weekend Clash
Sunderland prepare to welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Stadium of Light this weekend in what promises to be a crucial clash, especially with Wolves currently sitting at the bottom of the Premier League table. Both sides come into the fixture dealing with a number of injury concerns and availability issues, which could significantly impact team selection and overall performance.
Sunderland Team News
The Black Cats will be forced to manage without several key players, with a total of six ruled out either through injury or suspension. Additionally, two players returned from international duty carrying knocks, and their fitness will be closely monitored during the final training sessions ahead of the match.
Confirmed Absentees
- Reinildo – The defender is serving the final match of his three-game suspension and will not be available for this weekend’s encounter. However, he will be eligible to return for Sunderland’s following fixture against Chelsea.
- Aji Alese – Alese has been sidelined since January with a long-term injury. Although he has now resumed training, he is still a few weeks away from being fully match-fit and is not expected to return until sometime next month.
- Leo Hjelde – The young defender underwent double Achilles surgery during the summer. He has recently started light training and is projected to rejoin full team sessions in about two weeks.
- Dennis Cirkin – Cirkin has struggled with a persistent wrist injury but has now resumed light training. The club expects him to return to full fitness and be available for selection within the next fortnight.
Fitness Concerns
- Omar Alderete – The Paraguayan defender was substituted during international duty with what appeared to be a muscle strain. While the injury does not seem serious, his involvement this weekend will depend on how he fares in the final training sessions.
- Noah Sadiki – The midfielder picked up an ankle sprain while away on international duty. Fortunately for Sunderland, the injury isn’t as severe as initially feared. He remains a doubt but could feature if he passes a late fitness test.
Wolves Team News
Wolves also face injury problems of their own as they prepare for the trip north. The club is currently without two players due to long-term issues, while three others are considered doubtful ahead of the match. On the positive side, one player has recovered and is now available for selection again.
Confirmed Absentees
- Romain Mundle – The winger suffered an injury during pre-season and has not yet featured in competitive action this campaign. He is not expected to return until after the upcoming international break.
- Habib Diarra – A summer signing, Diarra recently underwent surgery for a groin injury. His recovery is expected to keep him out of action until at least December.
Injury Doubts
- Leon Chiwome – The forward has been out for over a year following a serious ACL injury. Although his recovery is progressing well, he is not expected back until later in the year.
- Hwang Hee-chan – Manager Vitor Pereira confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Hwang is nursing a minor injury. He is currently the most likely of Wolves’ doubts to miss the match.
- Jean-Ricner Bellegarde – The midfielder is battling an illness and will be assessed closer to matchday. A late decision will be made regarding his involvement.
- Matt Doherty – The experienced full-back missed Wolves’ previous fixture after undergoing wrist surgery. However, he is back in training and could be in line for a return this weekend.
Available for Selection
- Toti Gomes – After a short illness that kept him out of recent matches, Gomes has now recovered and is expected to be available for selection against Sunderland.
Final Thoughts
With both teams dealing with a range of injuries and absences, squad depth and last-minute fitness decisions will be crucial in determining the lineups. Sunderland will be aiming to take full advantage of home support and Wolves’ league struggles, while the visitors will hope their returning players can give them a boost in their bid to climb off the bottom of the table.
Stay tuned for confirmed team news closer to kick-off.