Sunderland are back in Premier League action against Coventry City on Saturday afternoon

Sunderland have been hit with a double injury blow ahead of their crucial game against Coventry City on Saturday afternoon.

Nordi Mukiele is absent after being forced off during last Sunday's 0-0 draw with Leeds United after colliding with team mate Luke O'Nien, while Habib Diarra is a surprise absentee from the squad. The severity of Diarra's issue is not yet known, with head coach Régis Le Bris set to offer an update after the game. Mukiele's absence means Omar Alderete comes into the starting XI to play alongside O'Nien at centre back, in the only change from the starting XI which faced Leeds at the Stadium of Light in the club's last league game. The absence of Mukiele and Diarra mean that youngsters Jules Ahoka and Jocelin Ta Bi take their place on the bench after impressive performances in the 3-2 Carabao Cup win over Brentford in midweek.

The big positive for Sunderland and Le Bris is that Wilson Isidor returns to the squad for the first time since the 2-0 defeat to Brighton earlier this month, bolstering the head coach's options from the bench following Thomas Meunier's return in midweek. Chris Rigg retains his place on the right of Sunderland’s midfield, with Ta Bi, Meunier, Fofana and Talbi options as the game develops.

Sunderland XI: Roefs; Hume, O’Nien, Alderete, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee; Rigg, Angulo, Brobbey

Subs: Ellborg, Meunier, Methalie, Danso, Isidor, Fofana, Ta Bi, Talbi, Ahoka

Coventry City are as expected without centre back Bobby Thomas, after he picked up a calf injury in the defeat to Fulham last weekend. Man City loanee Stephen Mfuni replaces him the starting XI, while former Black Cat Ellis Simms is named on the bench.