Régis Le Bris confirms fresh Sunderland injury blow but has positive early update for Newcastle United clash
Sunderland have picked up a new injury this week but the longer-term news is more positive.
Régis Le Bris has confirmed that Sunderland are expecting to be without winger Bertrand Traoré for a potentially extended period.
Traoré suffered a suspected recurrence of the knee injury that sidelined him for six weeks earlier this year at Leeds in midweek, and the Black Cats are at this stage determining whether he needs surgery or whether it can be treated more conservatively.
Either way, he will be out this weekend and is an early doubt for the Tyne-Wear derby in a fortnight. “The date is not completed exactly, but it might be a long injury,” Le Bris said. “We're still deciding whether it is surgery or a more conservative treatment, we don't know this yet. But yes, he will be without him for a while, I think so.”
It means the Black Cats boss will be without ten senior players for Sunday’s fifth round tie against Port Vale at Vale Park. Noah Sadiki and Trai Hume are both suspended for the game having picked up bookings in both of Sunderland’s wins in the competition to date. Traoré joins Robin Roefs, Nordi Mukiele, Brian Brobbey, Dennis Cirkin, Reinildo, Jocelin Ta Bi and Romaine Mundle on the club’s lengthy injury list.
Ta Bi and Mundle are both facing a battle to play again this season after undergoing surgery on ankle and hamstring injuries respectively. However, Le Bris did offer a positive update on the vast majority of those injuries and confirmed they are at this stage expected to be back either for Brighton’s visit to the Stadium of Light next week or the trip to Newcastle United that follows.
“Brian trained this morning - he won't be available for Port Vale, but next week he should be okay," Le Bris said. "Rei should run on the grass this weekend, which is good as well. He's so close to being back with the squad. Everything is going well. Nordi will probably run next week as well. They are in the bracket to be available around Brighton or Newcastle. Dennis, same idea. He ran last week and it was still a bit painful, but not too much, which is normal. It's a symptom-based and we still have to adapt the rehabilitation programme according to what he feels, but he's in a good place."
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Though a long way from the riches of the Premier League, Sunday’s game has significant financial incentives for Sunderland aside from the big sporting context of a win putting them one game away from a Wembley semi final. The club have already banked £338,500 in prize and broadcast money from their two sides so far, with Sunday's game earning them a further £120,000 in broadcast money. The winner of the tie will bank £238,500 in prize money, and get the chance to play for a £477,000 prize pot in the quarter finals. FA Cup gate receipts are shared after expenses, furthering boosting Sunderland's finances as they progress through the competition.
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