Sunderland handed major boost for Newcastle clash as AFCON update emerges
Some of Sunderland’s fears have been curtailed ahead of December’s Tyne-Wear Derby.
Sunderland travel to face Liverpool on Wednesday, before another away trip takes them to the Etihad on Saturday, where they will face Man City.
Those two games will be the priority for now, though the week after is when Newcastle travel to the Stadium of Light for the first Tyne-Wear Derby of the season.
Fears over having several players missing for that clash emerged over the last few weeks, and they have since been curtailed after an update from Keith Downie.
AFCON competitors granted permission to face Newcastle
Sunderland have seven players jetting off to AFCON this month, with some of them having been mooted to leave for camp as early as this weekend.
Noah Sadiki will represent DR Congo alongside Arthur Masuaku, with Bertrand Traore and Simon Adingra just two of the others who will be involved.
However, Keith Downie reported on Monday that FIFA have informed the Black Cats that they will be able to retain their players until 15 December, which is six days before AFCON is due to get underway.
It’s a huge boost for Sunderland, who have had the likes of Sadiki and Traore to thank for some of their most recent successes.
However, while the AFCON fears have now been wiped from Wearside, there is still one lingering over the Stadium of Light ahead of the clash on 14 December.
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Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki could still miss Newcastle clash
Both Xhaka and Sadiki are on four yellow cards, meaning their next one will result in a one-match suspension.
If that were to come against Liverpool, it would see them miss the trip to the Etihad, but if that were to come against Man City, they would be suspended for the Newcastle encounter.
Xhaka has been immense for Sunderland this season, and his experience will be crucial against the Magpies, while Sadiki is a shout for the signing of the season with the level of energy he has provided in midfield.
All eyes will be on Anfield on Wednesday night, with a yellow against the Reds likely the best option, unless a fifth yellow can be avoided in the next two games.
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