Sunderland v Spurs team news and injuries as De Zerbi takes charge | OneFootball

Sunderland resume their Premier League campaign at home to Spurs on Sunday, a meeting with stakes for both clubs.

The Black Cats want to back up their Tyne-Wear derby comeback by underlining top-ten ambitions and the European push. Spurs need points to pull clear of relegation concerns. According to Sunderland Echo, Roberto De Zerbi takes charge for the first time since replacing Igor Tudor after a full week with the squad.

Both squads welcomed returns before the break and further minutes now look likely. For Sunderland, Reinildo, Enzo Le Fee and Nordi Mukiele are expected to play increased roles after three more weeks of recovery and training. For Spurs, Conor Gallagher, Joao Palinha and Lucas Bergvall should be able to contribute significantly following injuries.

Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is a major doubt after surgery on a pre-existing hernia during the break. He is expected back this month, but Sunday might come too soon, in which case Antonin Kinsky is set for his first outing since being withdrawn in the first half of the first-leg defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Mathys Tel is available. The forward was injured in the loss to Nottingham Forest before the pause, but he has trained in recent days.

Dan Ballard remains a major doubt with a hamstring problem. He missed the derby and Northern Ireland’s play-off defeat to Italy, and while he has had a month since the Brighton loss, it remains to be seen if he features on Sunday as Sunderland will not take undue risks.

Robin Roefs is also a doubt after a hamstring issue. The derby came too soon, yet around five weeks on from what was not deemed serious, there is some hope he could be involved this weekend.

Source: Sunderland Echo