Sunderland boss confirms double early injury blow ahead of Leeds United clash

Sunderland are expected to be without Eliezer Mayenda and Dan Ballard for Friday’s game against Leeds United, their manager Regis Le Bris has confirmed.

Defender Ballard has been out since mid-September, having picked up an ankle injury during Sunderland’s 3-2 defeat at Plymouth Argyle. Mayenda has enjoyed an excellent start to the campaign with two goals and two assists in six games, but the teenage forward missed Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Watford with a minor muscle injury.

Like Leeds, Sunderland have two games in four days to contend with and host Derby County at the Stadium of Light this evening. And Le Bris has confirmed he will have experienced midfielder Alan Browne back fit, but neither Ballard nor Mayenda are expected to be available this week.

“Alan Browne will be available, but Eliezer and Dan aren’t," Le Bris told The Sunderland Echo. “We think that they will probably be back after the international break.”

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Mayenda’s absence has led to calls from some Sunderland fans to fast-track Aaron Connolly’s introduction, with the forward signing as a free agent last week following his release from Hull City. But the 24-year-old had no pre-season and is still building fitness, with Le Bris all but confirming he won’t feature against Leeds on Friday.

“After the international break is still the plan, I think,” the Black Cats boss added. “He’s fit, so that's good news. During training this week he's shown his qualities technically but also physically as well. I don't think we'll rush that prospect. We'll see, maybe it could be possible, but I'm not sure we will use this possibility.”

Friday’s meeting could end up being between the Championship’s top two, if results elsewhere go for Leeds and Sunderland during the week. Daniel Farke’s side are at Norwich City this evening looking to record a third straight win, having beaten Coventry City 3-0 on Saturday.

The Whites will be without club captain Ethan Ampadu, however, with the midfielder out until the new year after suffering a serious injury to the lateral collateral ligament in his knee against Coventry. He joins Max Wober, Dan James, Manor Solomon and Isaac Schmidt in being unavailable for Tuesday’s game, with only the latter expected back for Friday.