IPSWICH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 29: Jack Clarke of Ipswich Town reacts during the Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Aston Villa FC at Portman Road on September 29, 2024 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Regis Le Bris could surprise us all at 7pm with shock start for ‘very talented’ Sunderland star vs Luton Town.
Sunderland are back in action tonight with a home tie against Luton Town in the Championship, and it could produce one or two surprises.
After dropping points against Watford at the weekend in a 2-2 draw, Sunderland will be keen to get back to winning ways and keep up their pursuit of automatic promotion.
Regis Le Bris rarely makes radical changes to his Sunderland lineup, but he’s a manager who is always capable of having a trick up his sleeve.
We already have a good idea as to what Le Bris’ plan for Luton Town is, but the finer details of his team selection are still unknown for now.
Still, when that team sheet drops later tonight, we predict there could be one major change to the starting XI.
READ MORE: How to watch Sunderland vs Luton Town as Black Cats face must-win game in Championship promotion race..
Sunderland’s Ian Poveda during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sunderland and Burnley at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, England, on Aug…
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Is it time for Ian Poveda to start for Sunderland?
After Saturday’s draw against Watford, there is clearly a need for some tweaks in the team, and while it would be a gamble, we could well see Ian Poveda get the nod on Wednesday night.
The Colombian has slowly but surely been building his minutes in the team since returning from a long-term injury, and managed to get half an hour under his belt at the weekend.
Both Poveda and his teammate, Salis Abdul Samed, came in for some criticism after the game, but Le Bris defended the pair and described Poveda as a ‘very talented’ player who just needs time and patience to get back to his best.
Making his first start in a Sunderland shirt would be a huge step for Poveda, and while it would undoubtedly be a challenge, being thrown into the fray could be just what the winger needs as he looks to make an impact in the backend of the season.
With Patrick Roberts’ impact sporadic to say the least at the moment, now could be the perfect time to switch things up, even if it’s just the first 45 minutes for Poveda.
Ian Poveda could be like a new signing for Sunderland
Sunderland have been without Poveda for so long that his return will be a huge boost once he does finally hit his stride. Indeed, the winger had only played 44 minutes in the first half of the season before his injury, so we are yet to see what he is really capable of in this system.
For large portions of this season, Le Bris has only had Roberts to rely on down the right side. Without pitting the two players against one another, the fact that the Sunderland manager now has another option can only be a positive for the team.
While Poveda hasn’t impressed fans just yet, we know for a fact there is a very good player in there, as evidenced by his displays for Sheffield Wednesday last season.
With Poveda coming in on the right, and the return of Tommy Watson and Romaine Mundle on the left, Le Bris is soon to be blessed with some incredible talent on the wings, and those comebacks could be key to Sunderland’s final league position this season.
