Sunderland loanee taken off at half-time during ‘horrible’ 6-0 loss with new club.
Sunderland loanee Oli Bainbridge was on the wrong end of a heavy 6-0 defeat with new club Kilmarnock on Wednesday evening.
Sunderland predicted lineup vs Stoke City as Dennis Cirkin returns and teenager given chance.
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris could have a trick or two up his sleeve ahead of his side’s Championship clash at home to Stoke City on Saturday.
The visit of Stoke City to the Stadium of Light certainly feels like a must-win for Sunderland, who’ve not won in any of their last six now.
Last time out, Sheffield United scored a late winner against Sunderland to end the Black Cats’ 10-game unbeaten run, and to leave them in 4th place of the Championship table.
The Blades are now in 1st and five points ahead of Sunderland. It remains a strong start to the season for Sunderland, though: much stronger than that of Stoke City.
Stoke have had a managerial change already this season with Narcis Pelach coming in to replace Steven Schumacher in the September.
His side have steadily recovered after a poor start. Last time out they lost 2-0 at Burnley and now sit in 14th place of the table, winless in four.
Sunderland team news latest vs Stoke City, Dennis Cirkin injury update
The big injury concern for Sunderland of late has been that of Dennis Cirkin, with the left-back having missed the last three after undergoing surgery on a broken wrist.
Speaking to the press on Thursday, Le Bris revealed that Cirkin is fully fit for Sunderland’s game against Stoke City, albeit making no impression as to whether he’ll be starting.
Le Bris also went on to reveal that Ian Poveda, Salis Abdul Samed, and Ahmed Abdullahi are on course to return around New Year, whilst Romaine Mundle and Alan Browne remain a little while behind that.
Jenson Seelt and Niall Huggins remain sidelined too, with Seelt another who’s poised for a return in early 2025.
Lastly, centre-back Chris Mepham is suspended for the game against Stoke, after his red card against Sheffield United.
Sunderland predicted lineup vs Stoke City, Eliezer Mayenda starts
With form poor and Sunderland finding it hard to score goals of late, Le Bris might make some changes to his XI for the game against Stoke.
Sunderland fans have been impressed with Tommy Watson recently and he should keep his spot with Mundle injured.
But Patrick Roberts on the right could be axed, with his form a bit patchy of late, and Eliezer Mayenda could be given a start after some strong substitution appearances in recent games.
Then with Cirkin fully fit, it could be safe to assume that he comes into the defence, returning to his usual left-back spot.
Expect a centre pairing of Dan Ballard and Luke O’Nien with Trai Hume returning to right-back.
Here’s how we think Sunderland will line up against Stoke City…
