Sunderland are preparing for their Championship fixture against Watford – with multiple players still sidelined with injuries.
Tony Mowbray’s side got back to winning ways with a convincing 3-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday on Friday night, courtesy of Dan Ballard’s header and two goals from Jack Clarke.
Watford have won just two of their first nine league games and are 20th in the table following Saturday’s 3-2 defeat against Middlesbrough.
Here’s the latest injury and team news from both camps:
1. Pierre Ekwah (Sunderland) – DOUBT
The midfielder has missed Sunderland’s last three matches with a dead leg which has remained swollen. Ekwah may return to the squad against Watord but may not be ready to start the game. Photo: Frank Reid
2. Ken Sema (Watford) – OUT
The Watford midfielder has missed his side’s last four games with a muscle injury. Photo: Paul Harding
3. Bradley Dack (Sunderland) – DOUBT
Dack has also been sidelined in recent weeks with a hamstring issue. Mowbray has been wary of rushing the player back too soon, yet the 29-year-old may be ready to return to the squad against Watford. Photo: Frank Reid
4. Jewison Bennette (Sunderland) – DOUBT
Bennette had been absent with an illness but featured for Sunderland’s under-21s side against Aston Villa on Friday. The teenager could return to the senior squad against Watford, yet Sunderland have more options following the arrivals of Nazariy Rusyn, Adil Aouchiche and Mason Burstow. Photo: Frank Reid
Watford have won just two of their first nine league games and are 20th in the table following Saturday’s 3-2 defeat against Middlesbrough.
5. Aji Alese (Sunderland) – OUT
Alese has stepped up his recovery following a long-term thigh injury but isn’t expected to be available until after October’s international break. Photo: Frank Reid
6. Eliezer Mayenda (Sunderland) – OUT
Mayenda has also been running on the training pitches at the Academy of Light with the rest of Sunderland’s squad. Still, the striker isn’t expected to return before October’s international break following a hamstring issue. Photo: National World
7. Timothee Pembele (Sunderland) – OUT
The French right-back hasn’t played a competitive match since March after recovering from a cruciate ligament injury. Sunderland have said the 21-year-old is undergoing a personal maintenance programme alongside the club’s performance team. Photo: ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT
8. Dennis Cirkin (Sunderland) – OUT
After starting Sunderland’s first five league games this season, Cirkin has sustained a hamstring strain. The 21-year-old is set to be sidelined until after this month’s international break. Photo: Frank Reid
Sunderland are preparing for their Championship fixture against Watford – with multiple players still sidelined with injuries.
9. Jay Matete (Sunderland) – OUT
Matete is expected to be sidelined until around December after suffering a knee injury in pre-season which required surgery. Photo: Chris Fryatt.
10. Corry Evans (Sunderland) – OUT
Evans is still recovering from an ACL injury he suffered in January, with Mowbray not expecting the midfielder to return until sometime around the new year. Photo: Frank Reid
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