Sunderland land in Nashville as visa blow and transfer hints emerge | OneFootball

Sunderland have landed in Nashville to start their US tour, with a double session on Thursday before Liverpool on Saturday. According to Sunderland Echo, an initial 26-man squad has been confirmed.

Jocelin Ta Bi has stayed on Wearside after a visa refusal, which the club have appealed in the hope he can still feature. With no senior right winger in the group, this was a prime chance for minutes he cannot fully replicate at home.

Wilson Isidor has joined up after World Cup duty with Haiti, and players eliminated in the round of 32 are due to follow after the Liverpool friendly, including Simon Adingra and Arthur Masuaku. Both are expected to leave this summer, with Adingra attracting interest after a loan at AS Monaco, suggesting no deal is advanced yet.

Anthony Patterson and Alan Browne have also travelled despite loan spells last season. Browne impressed at York City and will likely get chances across all three games, with Granit Xhaka to rejoin after the tour. Ahmed Abdullahi has not travelled as he nears a switch to Eyüpspor.

Aji Alese played 45 minutes at York on his return from injury but has not flown to the US. That points to a future elsewhere, with Sunderland set to reinforce the left side and regular football elsewhere making sense for his next step.

With Roefs, Sadiki and Brobbey not involved until later in the trip, and Alderete and Talbi back for Lens next month, Le Bris is likely to lean on the youngsters against Liverpool. Even if Andoni Iraola’s side are short of full strength, it is a major opening for academy talent.

Leo Hjelde left the York game with a knee issue yet is in the travelling party, indicating it is not thought serious. Ben Kindon provides cover, while Dan Ballard and Romaine Mundle are on track to get minutes as they build fitness.

Source: Sunderland Echo