Régis Le Bris's Sunderland XI and bench to face Ipswich Town predicted | OneFootball

Sunderland launch their Premier League campaign at newly-promoted Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon, three months after that famous final-day win over Chelsea. A historic season starts at Portman Road with Régis Le Bris weighing up key selection calls.

Sunderland Echo notes that the head coach has a largely clean bill of health, though several players are short of peak match sharpness, so the bench could carry real influence.

In goal, Robin Roefs has been retained and his starting spot appears secure for the opener.

Right-back looks one of Le Bris’s trickiest decisions. Nordi Mukiele is back fit, yet the head coach has admitted he might not be ready to start, while Thomas Meunier has trained this week but managed only 45 minutes in pre-season. Given Meunier also featured at the World Cup not long ago and impressed on debut against Lens, he might get the nod, with Mukiele’s energy an option later or Trai Hume adjusted if required.

At centre-half, Dan Ballard has steadily increased his workload after ankle surgery. He conceded a penalty against Stade Rennais but looked strong and ready for the season.

Luke O’Nien is tipped to partner him. Omar Alderete has been passed fit, however he has not played a minute in pre-season, so sticking with O’Nien, who ended last season strongly and has been superb since the squad returned this summer, would make sense.

Source: Sunderland Echo

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