Sunderland's fight to climb off the bottom of the Premier League table is hampered by key absences for Sunday's home match against Leeds United. Defender Kevin Danso is suspended, while striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is a major doubt with a foot injury. The match, scheduled for Saturday 25 October, comes with the club sitting 20th in the Premier League with just four points from seven games, a record of one win and a draw against five losses.
Danso serves a one-match ban after being sent off in the 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth last week, a result that was part of a recent run of one win, one draw and three losses in their last five matches. Calvert-Lewin sustained his injury during the 1-1 draw with Manchester United earlier this month and faces a late fitness test.
Head coach Régis Le Bris does have some positive news. Brian Brobbey, the club's top scorer with three goals this season, is available again after recovering from a hamstring issue. Winger Daniel James is also back in full training following a back problem.
Le Bris confirmed the return of two players who were not registered for the Europa League squad. "Sunderland will of course welcome back into contention a number of players who have not been registered in their Europa League squad, including Chemsdine Talbi and Juan Riquelme," the manager said.
The fixture is critical for a Sunderland side that sits 20th with just four points from seven games, having failed to win in their last five outings. Their attack has struggled, scoring only six goals while conceding fourteen for a minus eight goal difference. They are 17 points behind leaders Manchester City. Their recent form includes a 1-1 draw with Lech Poznan on Thursday 22 October, where Timur Tutierov scored an early opener, and the 2-0 loss at Bournemouth on Sunday 18 October.
Leeds United, managed by Daniel Farke, arrive at the Stadium of Light in eighth place, presenting a formidable challenge. Sunderland's next match after this is another vital home fixture. The team will hope Brobbey's return can spark an attack that has scored only six league goals.
Read the full report at Sunderland Echo
