Sunderland and Chelsea injury latest, Alderete a major doubt and Ballard suspended before Sunday | OneFootball

Sunderland and Chelsea head to the Stadium of Light on Sunday afternoon still chasing Europe if other results align. Both sides are hoping to end their Premier League campaigns on a high and face late fitness calls.

According to Sunderland Echo, Régis Le Bris rates defender Omar Alderete a major doubt after he aggravated a hip problem at Everton last week. A late fitness test was scheduled for Friday, and Luke O'Nien could return if he misses out.

Chemsdine Talbi is ruled out after a muscle injury sustained in training this week, so he will not feature on Sunday. He had been likely to contribute either from the start or off the bench.

For Chelsea, interim boss Callum McFarlane said Joao Pedro, absent against Spurs, trained on Friday and it was looking positive for him to be involved at the weekend.

Dan Ballard also misses out, serving the final game of his three-match suspension for violent conduct in the draw at Wolves. Sunderland appealed the decision, but it was rejected.

Source: Sunderland Echo