Sunderland team news for FA Cup tie as Granit Xhaka decision confirmed | OneFootball

Sunderland chase an FA Cup quarter-final spot at Port Vale, with Régis Le Bris making two changes and Granit Xhaka named on the bench. According to Sunderland Echo, the midfielder is being managed after a hectic week and concerns over the Vale Park pitch, with no new setback for the 33-year-old.

Injuries and bans for Trai Hume and Noah Sadiki leave a threadbare squad and several U21s among the substitutes, yet Le Bris has picked his strongest available XI. Omar Alderete starts his first tie in the competition alongside Dan Ballard at centre-half.

Habib Diarra is set for a slightly deeper role, with Chris Rigg recalled. Lutsharel Geertruida moves to right back and Luke O’Nien switches to the left. Up front, Eliezer Mayenda gets the nod for his third start of the week ahead of Wilson Isidor.

Sunderland XI: Ellborg, Geertruida, Ballard, Alderete, O’Nien, Diarra, Le Fee, Rigg, Angulo, Talbi, Mayenda. Subs: Moore, Geragusian, Harrison Jones, Whittaker, Jenson Jones, Abdullahi, Xhaka, Isidor, Aleksic.

Le Bris had signposted the Xhaka call on Friday, saying a similar approach to Leeds was likely and that minutes would be managed with the pitch in mind.

Longer term, Hume and Sadiki will be available for Brighton next weekend. Brian Brobbey should also be back, while Nordi Mukiele, Dennis Cirkin and Reinildo are expected to return for Newcastle United a week later, with Robin Roefs hoped to feature. Bertrand Traore may face a lengthy spell out, with surgery under consideration.

Source: Sunderland Echo