'Couple of weeks' - Sunderland dealt fresh injury blow ahead of Leeds United clash with five now out

Sunderland boss Régis Le Bris has revealed that former Leeds United man Ian Poveda is facing a couple of weeks on the sidelines after coming off injured in the Black Cats’ 2-0 win over Derby County on Tuesday night.

Poveda moved to the Stadium of Light as a free agent after leaving Leeds following the expiration of his contract at Elland Road. Sunderland beat Derby County 2-0 on Tuesday but Poveda was on the pitch for just 10 minutes before being forced off with a muscle problem. The forward had only made his return to the Sunderland squad last weekend after overcoming a thigh problem.

Given the recent nature of the injury, Le Bris was unable to give an exact timescale on the player’s return but does not expect him to be involved against his former club on Friday night and he could also be absent after the international break.

"Yes, I think he will be injured for a couple of weeks - I don't know exactly yet," Le Bris said, via the Sunderland Echo who report Tommy Watson is likely to get an opportunity in Poveda’s absence.

"It will be difficult for him. Tommy did well when he went on the pitch so it is like that, we know that we have a strong team with many talented players and young players as well. It will be an opportunity for Tommy to play and to give his energy and his talent to the team."

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Sunderland welcomed Alan Browne back from injury on Tuesday night after he overcame a knee problem but the Black Cats are still set to be without four other players against Leeds on Friday. Dan Ballard, Salis Abdul Samed and Eliezer Mayenda are all unlikely to take part when Sunderland host the Whites. Ballard is out with an ankle problem he sustained against Plymouth Argyle last month and he is also expected to miss out on international duty with Northern Ireland.

Mayenda was first absent against Watford after two goals and two assists in his first four games while Samed is continuing to recover from a longer injury as he awaits his debut for the club. New signing Aaron Connolly is also expected to be absent as he continues to work his way to full fitness after spending the summer and most of September as a free agent.

Leeds have also been dealt a fresh injury blow ahead of the game after Ilia Gruev was forced off in the Whites’ 1-1 draw with Norwich City at Carrow Road. Daniel Farke confirmed earlier this week that defensive midfielder Ethan Ampadu would be out until January, leaving Leeds short of options in the middle of the park.