Sunderland could be without as many as eight players for Thursday's Europa League clash with Lech Poznan, leaving head coach Regis Le Bris short of options up front. The Black Cats travel to Poland aiming to maintain their perfect record in the competition.
Striker crisis deepens
Brian Brobbey and Wilson Isidor are both sidelined with minor injuries, though Isidor could return to contention for the match. Brobbey, who scored a hat-trick against Manchester City earlier in the season, picked up a hamstring injury during the international break and was named on the bench for the trip to Portugal before being left out against Bournemouth.
Explaining Brobbey's absence, Le Bris said: "We decided not to rush the process. He is in a good place and has trained with the squad all week, but after a hamstring injury, it is still important to stay cautious. We have delayed his game time a little bit, but probably next week we will see him if everything is going right."
Youngster Timur Tutierov started the win over Torreense in Portugal last week and led the line in the defeat to Bournemouth, but the side struggled in the final third on both occasions without their two senior strikers.
Defensive absentees
Thomas Meunier will also miss the trip after suffering a hamstring injury against Brighton earlier this month. He was ruled out of the Bournemouth match and will not feature on Thursday. Dan Ballard is recovering from a hamstring injury sustained during the international break, while Romaine Mundle continues rehabilitation following an ACL injury.
Le Bris is expected to provide a fresh update on Brobbey and Isidor from Poland this evening.
Lech Poznan's own injury woes
The Polish side have their own concerns, with Iranian striker Allahyar Sayyadmanesh ruled out with a hamstring injury. Speaking after a friendly draw with Energie Cottbus, Lech boss Frederiksen said: "Allahyar's situation is serious. He is out because of a hamstring injury. We expect him to be sidelined for around four weeks, and after four weeks he should return to the team. It is not good news, but that is football."
Lech Poznan are also without Swedish international Alex Douglas, who is recovering from an ankle injury, while Iranian international Ali Gholizadeh is recovering from a long-term ACL injury.
