Régis Le Bris could be without 10 senior players for Sunderland’s FA Cup trip to Port Vale | OneFootball

Régis Le Bris could be without 10 senior players when Sunderland bid to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals at Port Vale on Sunday.

Sunderland Echo reports that the head coach’s options are stretched by injuries and suspensions. Port Vale are struggling in League One but earned a Tuesday upset, beating Bristol City 1-0 after extra time.

Tuesday’s 1-0 victory over Leeds United came at a cost. Robin Roefs was ruled out before kick-off with a hamstring issue. Le Bris said it is not serious, but the goalkeeper will miss two to three weeks, so Melker Ellborg continues at Vale Park and Sunderland hope Roefs is back for the Tyne-Wear derby later this month.

Bertrand Traoré limped off moments after coming on. While it is too early to be definitive, Sunderland fear a recurrence of the knee problem that sidelined him for around six weeks. He is a major doubt for Sunday and is unlikely to feature.

None of the other absentees are expected to return for this tie. Dennis Cirkin and Reinildo remain on track for the Tyne-Wear derby, and Sunderland also hope Brian Brobbey and Nordi Mukiele will be back from groin and calf issues by then, but both miss Sunday. Romaine Mundle and Jocelin Ta Bi face a race to play again this season after hamstring and ankle surgery.

FA Cup rules mean two yellow cards before the end of the quarter-final stage bring a one-game ban. Trai Hume and Noah Sadiki were booked in both wins over Everton and Oxford United and are suspended. Luke O'Nien, Wilson Isidor, Enzo Le Fee, Granit Xhaka and Dan Ballard are on one caution.

Sunderland must weigh Granit Xhaka’s minutes as he returns from an ankle problem, though the shortage could push him to start. That scenario would see Lutsharel Geertruida shift to full-back for Hume, with Le Fee central and Chemsdine Talbi recalled. Chris Rigg is another candidate for more minutes.

Source: Sunderland Echo