"More solutions" - Regis Le Bris drops mixed Sunderland injury update ahead of Stoke City clash | OneFootball

Sunderland have a number of players absent amid a six-game winless run in the Championship

Régis Le Bris has offered a mixed Sunderland injury update ahead of the team’s clash with Stoke City.

The Black Cats still have a number of players on the sidelines as we quickly approach the busy festive schedule.

The Wearside outfit’s form has taken a nosedive in recent weeks, with the team failing to win any of their last six league games, including a 1-0 loss to Sheffield United in their most recent fixture.

Le Bris will be hoping to have as many players back as soon as he can in order to keep the club’s promotion hopes alive going into January.

Le Bris offers mixed Sunderland injury update

Le Bris has revealed that Ian Poveda, Sailid Abdul Samed and Ahmed Abdullahi could return in the next couple of weeks after lengthy layoffs.

However, he believes that Alan Browne and Romaine Mundle could yet be out for another while longer, which will come as a blow to the team.

"I hope maybe in two or three weeks we are going to have some more solutions,” said Le Bris, via The Northern Echo.

“Another winger in Ian Poveda, another midfielder with Salis, another striker with Ahmed.

“We could have one or two solutions in every position.

"I'm hoping that I will get some gifts around the Christmas period and we will have these players available, because it is important for the team to introduce some new energy and more competition in certain places.

“Romaine and Browney we hope will be available at the start of January."

Sunderland league position

Sunderland have slipped to fourth in the league following their recent poor run of form.

Draws against the likes of West Brom, Millwall, Coventry City, Preston North End and QPR have seen them lose their place inside the automatic promotion places.

Their last victory came against Oxford United in October.

Next up for Le Bris’ side is a home clash against Stoke City on Saturday in a 12.30pm kick-off.

Poveda return could be huge for Sunderland

Poveda was an exciting signing for Sunderland in the summer, but so far he’s managed just 46 minutes of league action for the club.

Having him back in contention in the coming weeks could be a big deal for the team, and might be just what they need amid this slump in form.

It is a blow that Mundle and Browne won’t be back in the immediate short-term as both have been pretty important when they’ve played this season.