Sunderland are hoping to get back to winning ways this weekend but face a tough test against in-form Man Utd

Sunderland are back in Premier League action on Saturday afternoon as Manchester United visit the Stadium of Light.

Here, we bring you up to speed with the early team news from both camps...

The early Sunderland team news

Sunderland are set to be without Dan Ballard with the centre back suspended for the final three games of the campaign. Ballard was shown a red card for violent conduct following a VAR review midway through the first half of the 1-1 draw with Wolves, with referee Paul Tierney ruling that he had 'clearly' pulled the hair of striker Tolu Arokodare. Sunderland have decided to appeal the decision as they are adamant it was not intentional and therefore not violent conduct. They will hope the decision is overturned and if not that the ban is reduced, though this has not happened for either of the previous two red card incidents for hair pulling in the Premier League this season.

Time will tell, but as it stands Régis Le Bris will have to decide whether to recall Luke O'Nien at centre back or whether he moves Nordi Mukiele infield. In that scenario, it will likely be a choice between Trai Hume and Lutsharel Geertruida for the right back role.

Otherwise, Le Bris will potentially have the strongest pool of players he has been able to pick from for some time. Romaine Mundle is expected to be the only absentee as it stands, with the winger likely to miss the rest of the campaign as he recovers from a hamstring issue. While he could return to training at the end of the season, the club are likely to take a cautious approach and target a full pre-season for the young winger.

Jocelin Ta Bi returned to the bench from an ankle injury at Molineux on Saturday, with Bertrand Traoré and Nilson Angulo expected to follow suit this weekend. Both resumed some training last week, and should they train fully in the coming days then they will be in contention to make the bench for Manchester United's visit. Neither is likely to be considered for a start at this stage of their return, but would offer Le Bris options as impact substitutes.

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The early Manchester United team news

Benjamin Šeško has emerged as an early injury doubt for Saturday's game after being forced off at half time in Manchester United's 3-2 win over Liverpool on Sunday.

Šeško, who scored in the reverse fixture, collided with the advertising hoardings and Michael Carrick revealed afterwards that this had aggravated an existing issue.

"He's been carrying a shin problem for some time, he got pushed and caught the bit that's been causing him some problems," Carrick said. Former Sunderland loanee Amad was introduced as his replacement at half time, and could be in line to start should Šeško not be fit enough. Joshua Zirkzee would be another option for Carrick.

Bruno Fernandes was also substituted late in the game, but Carrick confirmed afterwards that it was a tactical call and so the influential midfielder is likely to be in the starting XI on Saturday. It leaves Matthijs de Ligt as the club's only other injury concern - the centre back has been absent with a back issue since November and as of last week had not yet been able to resume full training. As such, he's likely to be absent again this weekend as things stand.

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