The five key games Bertrand Traore could miss as Regis Le Bris delivers frustrating injury update
Sunderland and Regis Le Bris have been left frustrated despite the return of star winger Bertrand Traore from AFCON.
As well as sitting 10th in the Premier League, Sunderland beat Everton on penalties to advance in the FA Cup, with Le Bris’ side now losing just one of their last seven games across all competitions.
However, with five of those being draws, the Black Cats are keen to get back to winning ways, form which saw them rise as high as the Champions League spots this season.
Sunderland appear to be busy in the January transfer window, with Dan Neil expected to leave before the window closes, but much of the squad really should stick together as it is.
They must await the returns of Habib Diarra and Chemsdine Talbi, though, and the manager’s latest update on injuries will only add pressure ahead of facing Crystal Palace on Saturday, 17 January.
Bertrand Traore could miss up to four weeks at Sunderland
Le Bris confirmed that Traore picked up a knee injury on international duty, with Arthur Masuaka also being sidelined for the next four-to-six weeks, after leaving the Congo squad.
Speaking in his press conference, the manager said: “We are expecting a three-to-four-week process. We won’t rush him, but he will be back soon. We have other options.”
The Black Cats were tipped to suffer a dramatic drop in form during the weeks of AFCON, but with the competition nearly at the final stage, they are still in the top half of the table.
They have already welcomed back the likes of Reinildo and Noah Sadiki, but Le Bris will have to wait patiently until he can utilise Traore again, after the winger’s latest blow.
Which games could Traore miss ahead of his return?
January
- 17 January: Premier League, Crystal Palace (H)
- 24 January: Premier League, West Ham (A)
February
- 2 February: Premier League, Burnley (H)
- 7 February: Premier League, Arsenal (A)
- 11 February: Premier League, Liverpool (H)
Worst-case scenario would see the talented winger return for the Black Cats’ FA Cup clash with Oxford United on Saturday, 14 February, and that would be a huge boost in the fourth round.
However, with a key Premier League clash against Fulham after that, Le Bris could choose to save his legs for the Cottagers’ visit to the Stadium of Light.