Sunderland
Sunderland AFC is grappling with injury concerns as they prepare for their upcoming pre-season fixtures. The team recently suffered a 3-0 defeat against Hearts of Midlothian, with key players Anthony Patterson and Ellis Rigg absent due to minor injuries. Both players are expected to miss Sunderland’s next two pre-season matches, casting doubt on their availability for the opening day clash against West Ham United at the Stadium of Light. Meanwhile, Wilson Isidor, who missed the Hearts game with a knee issue, is anticipated to return for the friendly against Real Betis next weekend.
Régis Le Bris said: “We hope that all three will be ready for the start of the season. Wilson will probably be available after the Hull game, so he is not too far away. For Patto and Riggy, it will take a bit longer. By that stage, they should be back doing everything, so hopefully they will have a chance for the first game. It’s possible.”
Le Bris added: “It was a tough result and a tough game. Before the game, I told the players that it would probably be the first game this season with intensity, duels and a need to properly manage direct play, and that was the case. We struggled against their direct play, especially on our left side. We struggled in duels in general, so it was tough. We didn’t manage their man-for-man properly, so we got dominated in every phase. At the end, the result was well deserved.”
He continued: “We need to get to the right level of intensity. This was an important reminder because we need this type of experience to be at the right level. In the last two games, we were more focused about tactics because the games were slow, with another style of play. We have to manage both, but this afternoon, we were not ready for that part of things.”
The absence of Patterson and Rigg is a significant blow to Sunderland’s pre-season preparations, as both players are crucial to the team’s strategy. The upcoming matches against Augsburg and Rayo Vallecano will be pivotal in assessing the squad’s readiness ahead of the Premier League season. Le Bris’s comments highlight the need for the team to adapt to different styles of play and improve their intensity, especially after the challenging encounter with Hearts. The return of Wilson Isidor is a positive development, offering some relief to the squad as they gear up for the competitive season ahead.
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