'Important players' - Fresh Sunderland squad injury update ahead of Leeds United
Leeds United welcome an injury-hit Sunderland to Elland Road on Tuesday night.
Sunderland winger Bertrand Traore returned from injury last weekend but admits ‘some important players’ will not be fit to face Leeds United.
The Black Cats are due at Elland Road on Tuesday night for another massive game under the lights. Leeds will have the chance to pull as many as nine points clear of 18th-placed West Ham before they travel to in-form Fulham 24 hours later.
Tuesday’s visitors are managing a host of injury issues, four of which emerged ahead of their 1-1 weekend draw at Bournemouth. First-team regulars Nordi Mukiele, Brian Brobbey and Reinildo Mandava are out, as are fringe players Jocelin Ta Bi, Romaine Mundle and Dennis Cirkin.
“It’s a nice feeling,” Traore told The Northern Echo of his return. “I’m happy to be back with the boys. It's always nice to be back and help the team. This period of the season is the most dangerous period, the weather doesn't help, and also after many games in the legs.
“You can feel a little bit tired from the games and the weather also doesn't help you to recover. We have a few injuries, some important players, so I'm happy to be back with the boys. We need to stick together as we have been doing since the beginning of the season. We'll try to get as many points as possible.”
Sunderland's weekend draw at Bournemouth ended a run of three straight defeats in the Premier League but after an incredible first-half of the campaign, their form has dipped. The Black Cats have only won twice since the turn of the year, both of which came at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland star on recent form ahead of Leeds United
That such a run brings virtually no fear of relegation is testament to how well Sunderland have done on their Premier League return. And Traore, who could be fit to start on Tuesday having come off the bench at Bournemouth, believes his side can return to that early-season form.
“This kind of period can always come during the season,” the winger admitted. “As a promoted team, it's normal. We are lucky this period didn't come earlier in the season. It just came now, but it doesn't have to stay long.
“We have to turn things around. We have to keep doing what we've been doing, working hard as a team, showing great mentality. I think things will be better.
“We could have taken the three points, but one is not a bad result. The positive thing is that we showed a better character than last week's performance - this is a good thing to take for Leeds on Tuesday.”
Leeds will hope that turn in form is put on hold for at least this week, with a huge three points up for grabs on Tuesday. Daniel Farke’s side have now come through their trickiest remaining chunk of fixtures while maintaining a six-point gap on the drop zone, and they’ll now look to extend it.