Régis Le Bris confirms Sunderland XI for Newcastle derby as key quintet not fit to start | OneFootball

According to Sunderland Echo, Régis Le Bris has confirmed Sunderland’s starting XI for this afternoon’s Tyne-Wear derby at St James’ Park. He makes one change from the 1-0 defeat to Brighton, with Luke O’Nien in for Dan Ballard after a hamstring problem.

Hopes that Ballard, Enzo Le Fée, Reinildo Mandava, Robin Roefs and Nordi Mukiele might start have faded, with none passed fit to begin. Mandava, Le Fée and Mukiele are on the bench, while Ballard and Roefs are absent from the squad. Long-term absentees Jocelin Ta Bi, Bertrand Traoré and Nilson Angulo also remain sidelined.

O’Nien partners Omar Alderete in central defence, with Lutsharel Geertruida at right-back and Trai Hume on the left. Granit Xhaka anchors midfield, joined by Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra. Chris Rigg starts on the right, Chemsdine Talbi on the left, and Brian Brobbey leads the line.

Sunderland starting XI: Ellborg, Geertrudia, Hume, O’Nien, Alderete, Xhaka, Sadiki, Diarra, Rigg, Talbi, Brobbey. Subs: Moore, Reinildo, Cirkin, Mukiele, Le Fee, H. Jones, Jen Jones, Mayenda, Isidor.

On Friday, Le Bris said several players would face late assessments and stressed he would not take unnecessary risks, describing Ballard’s issue as hamstring discomfort. He discussed Mukiele’s push to feature but framed any involvement as a medical call, noting the danger of a longer lay-off if minutes were forced. He praised the injured players’ commitment while underlining that selection must remain rational.

Source: Sunderland Echo