Regis Le Bris confirms ‘serious’ injury blow ahead of Burnley clash
Regis Le Bris has confirmed the injury sustained by Aji Alese against Stoke City will see the defender sidelined at Sunderland for a “long time”.
The Black Cats’ FA Cup defeat to Stoke City provided enough disappointment with the result, but a blow to Alese made things even worse.
Le Bris made five changes to his starting 11 for the tie, with Alese coming in at left-back, but he was stretchered off the pitch with Le Bris confirming he will require surgery.
In quotes reported by the Sunderland Echo [16 January], the Frenchman said: “I don’t have a full update.
“We have to wait for the surgery and the results after, but it should be a long time [he will be out].”
Sunderland dealing with injury crisis
Having only recently been boosted by the return of Salis Abdul Samed, Alese’s injury means the Black Cats are back to having 10 senior players out injured.
The recent signing of Enzo Le Fee has somewhat subdued any midfield concerns but defensively, the Wearsiders are very light with Alese joining Jenson Seelt, Niall Huggins and Dan Ballard on the sidelines – albeit the latter could return against Burnley.
With that in mind, for the Mackems to be just three points off of the summit of the Championship is remarkable and it bodes well for the remainder of the campaign if they can get a full squad back.
If that can be achieved, alongside some further winter reinforcements, there is every chance the Black Cats can achieve promotion this season.
Friday’s (17 January) encounter with Burnley will provide them with arguably the biggest test yet, with the hosts having only conceded nine goals so far this season.
In other Sunderland news, the Black Cats have been warned ahead of a potential transfer swoop.
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