Exclusive:Sunderland transfer clause revealed as EFL rule change hands Régis Le Bris selection boost for Brentford
Sunderland have received a selection boost ahead of their Carabao Cup clash with Brentford on Wednesday evening
Kevin Danso is eligible to represent Sunderland against Brentford in the Carabao Cup despite his earlier appearance for Tottenham, The Echo understands.
The defender featured in Spurs’ victory over Charlton before completing his deadline-day loan move to Wearside. Under the competition’s previous regulations, that appearance would ordinarily have left him cup-tied. However, the EFL changed its rules ahead of the 2025-26 season to allow players to represent up to two clubs in the same campaign, subject to the relevant transfer requirements.
The summer provision covers players who appear for one club before moving to another within the same transfer window. Danso’s deadline-day switch fell within that provision. Crucially, the rule change does not override restrictions imposed by a player’s parent club. Had Tottenham expressly prohibited Danso from representing Sunderland in the competition under his loan agreement, he would have been unavailable despite no longer being automatically cup-tied.
For the 2026-27 campaign, loan players are automatically eligible for the Carabao Cup unless their parent club expressly states otherwise. Previously, written permission was required. The Echo understands there is no restriction preventing the Austria international from featuring against Brentford, giving Régis Le Bris another option in central defence.
Danso has endured a difficult start to his Sunderland career and missed the club’s last Premier League game, a goalless draw against Leeds United, after being sent off at Bournemouth. The Brentford tie offers a potential opportunity to return as Sunderland seek a place in the quarter-finals. Whether Danso starts remains a selection decision for Le Bris, who also has a Premier League trip to Coventry City to consider as he manages his squad.