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Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris before the Premier League match at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland. Picture date: Friday April 24, 2026. (Photo by Richard Sellers/PA Images via Getty Images) | PA Images via Getty Images
We’re without Dan Ballard today because a braid hit his hand (violently, apparently), and that’s a big blow as we don’t have another centre back like him to come in and take his place. The question of who will replace Ballard will be answered by what Le Bris does with Trai Hume – whether he keeps him in that hybrid role, or moves him to right back, or even to the bench. I know which option I’d go for… but I think Le Bris will take another.
Goalkeeper: Robin Roefs
I reckon Roefs will be disappointed with Wolves’ goal last week – he’s stopped coming off his line as much recently. That’s what made him so imposing and impressive earlier in the season, and it’s a bit of a puzzle as to why he’s stopped. Anyway, he’ll play today, opposite a keeper who we were heavily linked with before signing the Dutchman.
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Defence: Nordi Mukiele, Luke O’Nien, Omar Alderete, Reinildo
With Ballard out, the question is do we move Nordi in to partner Alderete, or do we bring Luke O’Nien back into the side? Mukiele’s attacking play is a great asset, and there’s a lot of merit in keeping him at right back, but personally I’d play Mukiele and Alderete at the back and Hume at full back. I suspect Le Bris will do the opposite though, with O’Nien coming in at centre back, and Hume playing further upfield.
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Midfield: Trai Hume, Granit Xhaka, Enzo Le Fee, Noah Sadiki, Chemsdine Talbi
If we do go with O’Nien at the back, Hume will likely be deployed in midfield. I think the Villa and Forest games spooked Le Bris a bit, and his selection of Hume in midfield at Molineux showed a desire to get back to the solid shape that served us so well earlier on. Habib Diarra sat out much of last week’s game, and he likely will do today. We need Le Fee in the centre of the park, which when you throw Xhaka into the mix leaves it a shoot out between Sadiki and Diarra, and there’s one winner at the moment. On the left, I think Talbi will start, and hopefully we’ll see Jimmy or Angulo coming off the bench in the second half.
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Forward: Brian Brobbey
I wouldn’t be surprised if Isidor got a start today, but I’m hedging my bets with Brobbey. It’s tough for him sometimes, as he’s often left far too isolated during the game, but hopefully with Le Fee playing more centrally we can solve that.
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