The 13 players set to miss Sunderland AFC v Bristol City ft 37-cap international | OneFootball

Football League World looks at the 13 players who will miss the action as Sunderland host Bristol City on Tuesday night

Sunderland got their automatic promotion bid back on track with a 2-1 victory over Stoke City on Saturday afternoon, after previously enduring a six-game winless run.

Meanwhile, Bristol City were keen to follow up their emphatic 4-0 win over Plymouth Argyle with yet another triumph, but they miserably failed as they were thrashed 3-0 by relegation candidates Portsmouth.

The Black Cats faithful will therefore be hopeful that their side can emerge victorious when they host the Robins on Tuesday night, but Liam Manning's men will be vying to avoid their second defeat in as many games.

Ahead of the Championship clash at the Stadium of Light, Football League World takes a look at the 13 players who are set to miss out on the action when Regis Le Bris' side take on the Robins.

Jenson Seelt

Jenson Seelt has not featured for the Black Cats since suffering a major knee injury last March, and back in October, Le Bris told the Sunderland Echo that the defender could return in January.

When he is fit and ready to go, Seelt is going to find it hard to get into the starting 11, given the form of Chris Mepham and Dan Ballard at the back, as well as Luke O'Nien being an option too.

Niall Huggins

Le Bris also told the Sunderland Echo last October that there was no guarantee that Wales international Niall Huggins would return to action this term, after he suffered a serious knee injury in December 2023.

The versatile full-back has been very unlucky with setbacks during his time on Wearside, but the club recently showed faith in him by extending his contract until 2026.

Alan Browne

Alan Browne suffered a fracture in his leg during the Black Cats' 2-2 draw with Coventry City last month, with it being reported via BBC Sport that he would be sidelined for eight weeks.

The 37-cap Republic of Ireland international is perhaps lucky that the damage was not more severe, and with the busy Christmas period fast approaching, Le Bris will be hoping that he can get one of the more experienced players in his squad back sooner rather than later to help guide the youngsters through.

Ian Poveda

Summer signing Ian Poveda has played just 44 minutes of Sunderland's Championship season so far, and has not made his return to the field of play since being forced off through injury during his side's 2-0 win over Derby County in October.

It has been a disappointing start to life in the north east for the ex-Leeds winger, but when he's back fit again, there will be hope that he can make an impact.

Salis Abdul Samed

Salis Abdul Samed is still yet to make his Black Cats debut after facing a recurrence of an injury he suffered while he was still with parent club Lens last summer.

So far, this is looking like a disappointing signing, but that could change if Samed is back fit for the second half of the campaign.

Romaine Mundle

Similarly to the aforementioned Browne, Mundle last featured for the North East outfit during the 2-2 draw with Coventry last month, with BBC Sport reporting that he would be out for eight weeks as a result of a hamstring injury.

Mundle stepped into the shoes vacated by Jack Clarke immensely in the opening few months of 2024-25, but Tommy Watson is also deputising with aplomb in his absence.

Ahmed Abdullahi

Abdul Samed is not the only Black Cats summer signing who is awaiting his Championship debut, as Ahmed Abdullahi is still yet to play for Le Bris' men after requiring a groin operation back in September.

The 20-year-old was more of a developmental addition this summer however, so it was unlikely that he would've made many appearances under the French manager by now even if he was available.

Kal Naismith

Former Luton Town man Kal Naismith is one of six Bristol City players set to miss out on the action as Manning's side travel to the Stadium of Light on Tuesday evening.

He has not featured for the West Country outfit since being withdrawn from the action due to injury during a 2-1 home defeat to Sheffield United in early November.

Ross McCrorie

Scotland international Ross McCrorie has made just four Championship appearances so far this campaign, and has been sidelined ever since being substituted off due to injury in the 35th minute of a clash with Leeds United in October.

McCrorie has had somewhat of a torrid time since his move to Ashton Gate last summer, and it's continuing to be that way.

George Tanner

George Tanner last appeared for the Robins during a 3-1 win at Preston North End in early November, while BBC Sport reported that Manning said the 25-year-old would be out for a "considerable amount of time".

With a number of City defenders currently sidelined, including Tanner, it's a far from ideal situation for Manning to find himself in.

Joe Williams

Joe Williams has also been sidelined ever since last month's trip to Deepdale, courtesy of a partial tear of his achilles tendon, which will see him absent for months, as opposed to weeks.

Williams has had his fair share of injuries over the year too, and this is the latest in a long line of setbacks for the ex-Everton man.

Ayman Benarous

Ayman Benarous is the Robins' longest term absentee, as he has not made his Championship return since suffering an ACL injury at the end of the 2021/22 campaign.

Once a midfielder filled with a lot of potential, the 21-year-old is likely not going to be the player that was expected of him when he was a teenager thanks to his numerous setbacks.

Mark Sykes

Ireland international Mark Sykes suffered a hamstring problem in the sixth minute of the Robins' 2-1 home defeat to Sheffield United last month, and has not been involved in any of Manning's matchday squads ever since.

He is guaranteed to miss out on his side's visit to the Stadium of Light on Tuesday, while Scott Twine is a potential absentee, after missing Saturday's trip to Portsmouth due to illness.