Six changes: Sunderland team news explained as Régis Le Bris makes key calls for Europa League clash
Sunderland are back in Europa League action at the Stadium of Light on Thursday night
Régis Le Bris has again made a number of changes to his Sunderland side as they resume their Europa League campaign against Dinamo Zagreb.
Thomas Meunier comes into the starting XI for the first time since picking up an injury in the 2-0 defeat to Brighton in October, and will be hoping to make an impact and step up his match fitness ahead of Chelsea’s visit to the Stadium of Light on Sunday afternoon.
Elsewhere, Le Bris has broadly stuck to the selection strategy he has deployed in the early stages of the club’s European campaign by rotating but keeping a core of senior players. Granit Xhaka starts and captains the side, while Nilson Angulo and Malick Fofana start on the wings. Wilson Isidor leads the line, with Brian Brobbey and Timur Tutierov on the bench. Enzo Le Fee and Noah Sadiki are on the bench, with Chris Rigg and Jules Ahoka given another chance to impress in central positions.
At the back, Kevin Danso partners Omar Alderete who is suspended for Sunday’s visit of Chelsea. That could hint that Luke O’Nien is in pole position to retain his place in the XI on Sunday, with Nordi Mukiele expected to return from concussion for that game.
Chemsdine Talbi is expected to get his first minutes of the competition from the bench, having replaced Habib Diarra in Sunderland’s squad. Diarra is expected to be out for around six weeks with a hamstring injury.
Sunderland XI: Roefs; Meunier, Danso, Alderete, Methalie; Xhaka, Ahoka, Rigg; Angulo, Fofana, Isidor
Subs: Moore, Talbi, Brobbey, Tutierov, Whittaker, Proctor, Jenson Jones, O'Nien, Hume, Sadiki, Le Fee, Reinildo
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