Sunderland could have Habib Diarra on bench at Brighton | OneFootball

Sunderland’s injury-hit squad has received a lift before the trip to the Amex, as Habib Diarra could be available among the substitutes. The Senegal midfielder has been out for three months after groin surgery and might get minutes to gauge his fitness before heading to AFCON in Morocco, if all goes well.

As reported by TheArgus.co.uk, Albion and Sunderland are set to be without a combined nine players on Saturday because of suspensions and AFCON, including seven starters from last weekend, not counting injuries. Diarra was not in that initial count, but he may now feature.

Regis Le Bris said Diarra could travel to Brighton, which would mark the end of his rehabilitation. He added that, if assessments are positive, the player would then join his national team, with the club in contact with the national teams. He made clear Diarra will not start, but the bench is the target.

Sunderland have lost Noah Sadiki, Reinildo, Bertrand Traore, Chemsdine Talbi and Arthur Masuaku to AFCON, while Luke O’Nien is suspended. Granit Xhaka, their skipper, came through the derby win over Newcastle without collecting a fifth yellow card of the season.

Albion are without Carlos Baleba due to international duty, while Lewis Dunk and Diego Gomez serve one-match bans. Possible Sunderland XI: Roefs, Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Hume, Geertruida, Xhaka, Rigg, Adingra, Isidor, Le Fee.

Source: TheArgus.co.uk