At the Stadium of Light, Sunderland takes on Swansea City on Saturday afternoon in an attempt to build on their incredibly positive victory over Norwich City.
Although Sunderland’s injury list is gradually getting smaller, Tony Mowbray has stated that he must exercise caution when reintegrating players who have missed several weeks of action.
What is the most recent information on injuries and team news? Who is expected to miss more time and who could return on Saturday?
1. ADIL AOUCHICHE
Aouchiche has performed admirably in his substitute appearances, but a slight groyne issue has hindered his development and kept him out of Sunderland’s previous two games. Tony Mowbray stated before to Norwich City’s visit that there is no catastrophic injury, but the offensive midfielder is still likely to miss this weekend’s trip to Swansea City due to his anticipated timetable. This will depend on how well he performs this week. “Adil, the medical report tells me it’s one to two weeks so that’s not going to be a long problem,” he said. November 11th in Birmingham City (H) is a possible comeback date.
2. ELIEZER MAYENDA
After making a good debut in red and white during a game played behind closed doors against Hibernian last week, Mayenda is now closer than ever to making his Sunderland debut. After the striker complained of some little discomfort in his previously damaged hamstring, the intention was for him to start the Norwich game on the bench. Following the victory, Mowbray maintained that his move was just preventive and that there was no serious problem.
“I think he probably could have been on the bench today but if he’s telling the medical department he’s feeling his hamstring a little bit, even though he finished the whole training session yesterday, I made the call,” he stated. “If he’s feeling his hamstring and telling the medical department, I don’t think it’s worth the gamble,” Mowbray said. “He’s nearly there, he’s nearly ready, he’s done three or four full training sessions and played a U21s game against Hibs.”I’m sure he’ll be in and around it for the next week or so. We decided not to include him because it was simply too risky to put him in today if he was experiencing anything.” Possible comeback date: November 4th, Swansea City (A) image by Frank Reid.
3. DENNIS CIRKIN
Dennis Cirkin is one player who will be vying for a start on Saturday, but there are very unlikely to be any significant changes made to Sunderland’s starting lineup following the Norwich victory. It was expected that the left back would not make an early comeback to the team after Mowbray’s remarks last week on the necessity to cautiously reintegrate players when they are healthy again. Mowbray, who has made two appearances as a substitute, can play a natural left-footer on that wing to give his team some balance. Still, you’d think Cirkin would have to wait at least a week or two. Niall Huggins has been playing well, shown this again in the Norwich victory, and has proven that he deserves to play for the moment. image by Frank Reid.
4. DAN BALLARD
After some publications said that Ballard had received a yellow card during the first half of the victory over Norwich City, there was some uncertainty on Saturday. That would have, of course, resulted in his ban from the Swansea trip. The FA did, however, confirm to The Echo this week that Pierre Ekwah—not Ballard—was given a yellow card for disobedience following Norwich City’s first goal. Ballard is therefore free to play this weekend. However, Ballard and O’Nien have now received four yellow cards and will be punished if they receive any more in any of the next four games, so this is a longer-term issue for Sunderland and Mowbray. image by Frank Reid
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