Why Sunderland will wear blue against Newcastle today as Premier League rule triggers derby kit change | OneFootball

Sunderland will wear blue for today’s Tyne-Wear derby at Newcastle, with Premier League regulations ruling out both clubs’ striped home shirts.

Sunderland Echo notes that Rule M.22 requires kits to be visibly different and contrasting for players, officials, supporters and television viewers, including those with colour vision deficiency. With Newcastle in black and white, Sunderland will switch to their blue strip.

Newcastle have at times worn their home colours in this meeting, most recently in last season’s FA Cup tie at the Stadium of Light. The two striped designs are considered too similar to use together.

Le Bris said on Friday there would be late assessments for several players and confirmed Jocelin Ta Bi, Nilson Angulo, Bertrand Traore and Romain Mundle are sidelined for this game.

On Dan Ballard, he described hamstring discomfort and said the situation would be reviewed.

He added that he had spoken with Nordi shortly before the press conference and, while players had pushed to be ready, any call could not be emotional and must be purely medical.

He warned that even a 20-minute run-out could lead to eight or nine weeks out, praising the injured players’ desire to be involved while stressing the need to protect them with seven matches and an international break still ahead.

Source: Sunderland Echo