Régis Le Bris drops Trai Hume amid potential Sunderland shape change as Kevin Danso and Malick Fofana decisions emerge
Régis Le Bris has named his Sunderland starting XI for this afternoon’s Premier League game against Brentford
Sunderland have made one change for their Premier League meeting with Brentford as deadline-day signing Kevin Danso makes his debut.
Danso replaces Trai Hume in the starting XI following his season-long loan move from Tottenham Hotspur, which includes an obligation to buy if Sunderland avoid relegation. The change could signal a switch to a back five at the Gtech Community Stadium. Thomas Meunier and Reinildo are likely to operate as wing-backs, with Danso joining Dan Ballard and Nordi Mukiele in the middle of the defence.
Robin Roefs retains his place in goal after keeping a clean sheet against Fulham last weekend, when Sunderland recorded their first victory of the Premier League season. Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki continue together in midfield, with Enzo Le Fée and Nilson Angulo providing the attacking support.
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Brian Brobbey keeps his place at the head of the Sunderland attack despite Wilson Isidor coming off the bench to score the winner against Fulham. Isidor struck in the 75th minute after being supplied by Habib Diarra, who has since been ruled out for between six and eight weeks with a hamstring injury.
Deadline-day arrival Malick Fofana must wait for his first Sunderland start, but the Belgium international is among the options available to Régis Le Bris from the bench. Sunderland head to Brentford looking to build on their 1-0 win over Fulham. The Black Cats lost 2-1 at Ipswich Town on the opening weekend, while Brentford have collected four points from their first two league fixtures.
Romaine Mundle, Habib Diarra and Chemsdine Talbi are all absent from Sunderland’s squad. Diarra faces six to eight weeks out with a hamstring injury, while Mundle is also understood to be injured. Talbi misses out amid ongoing speculation over his future, while summer signing Dayann Methalie returns from suspension to take his place on the bench.
Sunderland XI: Roefs; Meunier, Mukiele, Ballard, Danso, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Le Fée, Angulo; Brobbey.
Sunderland subs: Ellborg, Methalie, O’Nien, Alderete, Hume, Rigg, Ahoka, Isidor, Fofana