Sunderland will be without new signing Dayann Methalie for their upcoming Premier League match against Fulham after the forward picked up a suspension. The club sits 11th in the Premier League with three points from their opening two games.
Methalie is suspended following yellow card accumulations from his time at Toulouse. His absence is a blow, but manager Michael Carrick has other options. Jules Ahoka is available for selection after joining the club this week. Defenders Nordi Mukiele and Omar Alderete are also in contention to start after disrupted pre-season campaigns, providing a potential boost to the back line.
Thomas Meunier could continue at right-back for the Black Cats. The availability of Mukiele and Alderete gives Carrick flexibility, though their match fitness remains a question. In attack, Chris Rigg and Chemsdine Talbi provide wing options. Simon Adingra remains sidelined, a fact confirmed by the club's current injuries list which also notes Habib Diarra is out.
Sunderland's defensive record this season shows two goals scored and two conceded. Their next challenge is a trip to face Brentford, who are fourth in the table, on September 5th.
Fulham's Joachim Anderson returned from suspension in the EFL Cup and will expect to start against Sunderland. Most of the Cottagers' squad had a midweek rest after their Chelsea match, which could give them a freshness edge. Players like Emile Smith Rowe, Shea Charles, Ryan Sessegnon and Kevin may have to make do with places on the bench for this fixture.
In other team news, Manchester United's Mason Mount is available again, but Amad and new signing Carlos Baleba will both be out for a few weeks. Ipswich Town manager Gary O'Neill is hoping Florentino Luis will be fit to make his debut, though Azor Matusiwa, Jack Taylor and Jaden Philogene are out.
Aston Villa could involve new signing Nicolas Jackson if his registration is completed in time. Leon Goretzka and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are available after joining, but Joao Gomes is suspended. Zion Suzuki could start in goal for the first time. Ezri Konsa could make his Arsenal debut against his former club Villa. Mikel Arteta confirmed his availability. "Yes, he’s available," Arteta said. "He’s been training really well and I think he will be available for selection." The manager was less clear on Bruno Guimaraes, who missed last week's opener.
Chelsea's Xabi Alonso has a decision in goal, with Mike Penders an option. Moises Caicedo may be ready for Saturday and Wesley Fofana is back from suspension. For Brighton, Ferdi Kadioglu is among several left-back options, but Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh are out. Leeds United have Ilia Gruev, Gabriel Gudmundsson and Wilfried Gnonto back in training, though a start this weekend seems unlikely. Sunderland's immediate focus is on handling their early-season challenges, currently three points behind leaders Manchester City in the title race. Their next test is away to Brentford on the fifth of September.
