Régis Le Bris
Sunderland is gearing up to face Newcastle United in the highly anticipated Tyne-Wear Derby this Sunday. Despite a recent dip in form and a series of injury setbacks, former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips remains optimistic about the Black Cats’ prospects. Sunderland, under the management of Regis Le Bris, previously secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Newcastle earlier this season. However, their recent performance has been less consistent, with only three wins in their last 14 Premier League matches and an unexpected FA Cup exit to Port Vale.
Kevin Phillips said: “I think sometimes when you go into a derby, form pretty much goes out the window from my experience. But you certainly would like to go into it with a bit of form and the strongest possible squad that you can have. Unfortunately for Sunderland, they’ve got a couple missing. I was at the training ground yesterday, so I know there are a few that will be back, ready, fit. So hopefully the squad won’t be too far away from everyone being ready to play. It’s a testing time. I’m not concerned, but form pretty much goes out the window. So, it’ll be interesting to see how that unfolds.”
Regis Le Bris said: “Brian and Dennis have trained fully this week. They might be available [vs Brighton]. Nordi, Robin, and Rei are in a good place but won’t be available for this fixture. Probably they will train next week, Rei 100%, so it’s more about the Newcastle game for them. On Bertrand Traore, who is struggling with a knee issue, he continued: “It’s going to be six to eight weeks minimum. We’ll try to conservative reaction then depending on the reaction we’ll see if we need something else.”
Sunderland’s recent struggles have been compounded by injury concerns, with key players like Nordi Mukiele, Reinildo Mandava, and Robin Roefs doubtful for the upcoming derby. Additionally, Dennis Cirkin and Brian Brobbey have only just returned to the squad, while Dan Ballard’s fitness remains uncertain after being substituted early in their recent match against Brighton. Despite these challenges, Phillips emphasizes the unpredictable nature of derby matches, suggesting that form often becomes irrelevant in such high-stakes encounters.
Le Bris’s comments provide further insight into the squad’s current condition, highlighting the potential return of some players for the Newcastle clash. While Sunderland faces a testing period, both Phillips and Le Bris express a cautious optimism, underscoring the resilience and determination within the team as they prepare for one of the season’s most crucial fixtures.
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