Credit: Imago

Oliver Walton

Thu 12 March 2026 15:45, UK

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Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has confirmed that Bertrand Traore is facing up to eight weeks on the sidelines due to a knee injury.

Le Bris confirmed Sunderland fans’ fears in his Thursday press conference ahead of their Premier League clash against Brighton this weekend.

The Frenchman admitted that Traore faces between six and eight weeks on the sidelines after he pulled up in their away win at Leeds on 3 March.

Traore had not long returned from a layoff in their previous outing against Bournemouth, and he stepped off the bench at Elland Road in the 88th minute, only to be replaced by Chris Rigg in injury time.

He missed out on their FA Cup defeat to Port Vale after seeing specialists about the problem, and now looks set to miss most of the season’s run-in in a real blow to the Black Cats’ European hopes.

Bertrand Traore could miss the next six Sunderland games

Le Bris has been dealing with somewhat of an injury crisis as of late, with the likes of Robin Roefs, Nordi Mukiele, Dennis Cirkin, Reinildo and Brian Brobbey among those dealing with issues as it stands.

Traore’s return to action was a welcome one last month, after he suffered an injury on AFCON duty with Burkina Faso, but his latest problem has plunged the rest of his campaign into doubt.

Football Insider have looked at all of the league games that he could miss for Sunderland if he is out for eight weeks from now.

March

• Brighton (H) – Saturday, 14 March
• Newcastle (a) – Sunday, 22 March

April

• Tottenham (H) – Sunday, 12 April
• Aston Villa (a) – Saturday, 18 April
• Nottingham Forest (H) – Friday, 24 April

May

• Wolves (a) – Saturday, 2 May

Chris Rigg could benefit from Traore’s latest injury woes

Despite Football Insider revealing that Man United and Everton were tracking Rigg last summer, he decided to stay on Wearside and signed a new contract with Sunderland ahead of this season.

The diminutive midfielder, who often plays on the right flank, was a key man during the Black Cats’ promotion campaign, but has struggled for opportunities so far this season.

His last league start of six so far came against Brentford on 7 January, but Rigg will now be boosted up the pecking order for places on the wing following Traore’s injury.

He is still battling the likes of Nilson Angulo, Chemsdine Talbi and Enzo Le Fee for places out wide, but should come in line for more game time in the coming weeks after this latest development.