Sunderland v Swansea injury news as double update shared
Sunderland are out to maintain some momentum as they play host to Swansea in this weekend’s Championship fixture.
The Black Cats secured their post-season status following a 0-0 draw away to Norwich on Tuesday (8 April) and are on course for their first top-four finish in the second tier since promotion in the 2006-07 season.
The visit from Swansea will be a tough one for Sunderland, given the Welsh side’s recent pick-up in form under caretaker coach Alan Sheehan and a reviving roster.
Update on returning Swans duo from Alan Sheehan
In his press conference earlier in the week, Swans boss Sheehan confirmed that both Filip Lissah and Kristian Pedersen were entering hopeful periods in their recoveries from lengthy injuries.
However, there is still no timeline on when the two will feature in competitive action.
“The game at the weekend [against Derby County] was one of the lowest ball-in-play times we’ve faced this season, so the distances covered were down but obviously the physical nature of the game means it’s challenging in a different way,” said Sheehan, in quotes reported by the Sunderland Echo.
“Everybody has come through it fine. We have also had Filip Lissah back in training. Kristian Pedersen is back on the grass but not with the group yet. Josh Ginnelly is getting minutes with the under-21s to try and get him up to speed.
“Otherwise, we have got everyone else available. We are facing another side [Plymouth] fighting for their lives, needing point to stay in the division, so we have to combat that and find the most effective way to try and win the game.”
Neither Lissah nor Pedersen have featured in Sheehan’s interim period as coach, with the two defenders used sparingly under the sacked Luke Williams in the first half of the season.
Sheehan’s Swansea pose credible threat
Football League journeyman Sheehan has positioned himself as Swansea’s go-to man in recent seasons.
Initially succeeding Michael Duff in December 2023 for a tenure that spanned across seven games before replacing his year-long successor, Williams, as caretaker in February of this year.
The Irishman has gained further coaching credentials at Southampton and Luton Town as an assistant, and though not in the prime frame to make the grade on a full-time basis, Sheehan is building a worthy portfolio of his own.
As shown against table-toppers Leeds United (with the help of the fallible Illan Meslier), Sheehan’s Swansea can scrap and compete amongst the division’s best.
Sunderland find themselves in somewhat of a Catch-22 having secured their Championship play-offs spot.
Does Regis Le Bris continue to name the strongest side available to him or does he mix up his side to avoid the risk of injury?
There should be a good indication as to his thinking when Sunderland host Swansea at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.