Sunderland release major injury update ahead of Newcastle clash next Sunday

With Chelsea to come on Saturday and Newcastle travelling to Barcelona next week for our Champions League second leg, it's easy to forget we have the small matter of Sunderland a week on Sunday.

The Mackems have won only one of their last six games, and crashed out of the FA Cup last weekend after a 1-0 defeat away to League One strugglers Port Vale.

Like Newcastle, they've had a fair number of injury issues, with Black Cats boss Regis Le Bris speaking to the media this afternoon to give an update on players ahead of their home clash with Brighton on Saturday.

Le Bris revealed that defender Nordi Mukiele, goalkeeper Robin Roefs and left-back Reinildo will all miss this weekend's game, but look set to be back in training next week, suggesting they could be back for the derby.

Winger Bertrand Traore is expected to be out for between six to eight weeks, ruling him out next weekend, but striker Brian Brobbey and full-back Denis Cirkin have trained and could return against Brighton.

No update was given on wide men Romaine Mundle and Jocelin Ta bi, with it unclear if the pair will be fit for next Sunday's game at St James' Park.

The match is not only a must-win for Eddie Howe to salvage some local pride after December's defeat on Wearside, but to keep alive our hopes of securing European football via the Premier League now we're out of both domestic cups.