Leeds United face a quick return to action with Tuesday night’s visit of Sunderland - for which fresh blows have left six men out and three others doubtful but with two more now back.
The Whites and Black Cats were promoted together from last season’s Championship but in very different circumstances, Leeds going up as champions and Sunderland breaking Sheffield United’s hearts with victory in a dramatic play-off final.
Sunderland were then among the favourites for relegation but the Black Cats enjoyed a storming start to life back in the Premier League, battling it out in the higher echelons of the table.
The team have, though, been gradually sliding down the table although Sunderland remain six points ahead of Leeds in 13th place. The Black Cats took a 1-1 draw from Saturday’s clash at Bournemouth despite a raft of injuries.
Leeds, meanwhile, suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Manchester City in which Daniel Farke’s also suffered a fresh injury blow at a time when another star was already out.
Here, we run through the early injury news from both camps.
.jpg?crop=4:3&trim=&width=800)
1. OUT: Brian Brobbey
The Sunderland injury situation is not exactly great, the club's Dutch striker Brobbey one of four Black Cats players injured in the previous weekend's 3-1 defeat at home to Fulham. Brobbey suffered a groin injury and is thought to be looking at two to four weeks out. | Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
2. OUT: Romaine Mundle
Thought to be one of the two more serious Sunderland injuries suffered against Fulham, winger Mundle was forced off with a hamstring injury which boss Regis Le Bris has admitted could leave him out for a while. | Getty Images
3. OUT: Jocelin Ta Bi
Sunderland's Ivorian winger Ta Bi also suffered an ankle injury in the defeat against Fulham and he too is looking at a lengthy spell out. Le Bris said last week: "Jocelin might be in the same position as Romaine, but with a different injury. He might need surgery, so it could be a matter of weeks and months.” | AFP via Getty Images
4. OUT: Nordi Mukiele
Yet another injury suffered against Fulham, the club's star defender suffering a knee injury and also thought to be looking at two to four weeks out. | Getty Images
5. OUT: Dennis Cirkin
Sunderland left back Cirkin sustained a small injury in training prior to the Fulham match and also remains on the comeback trail. | AFP via Getty Images
.jpeg?crop=4:3&trim=&width=800)
6. OUT: Reinildo Mandava
Sunderland's influential left back Reinildo has been out with a knee injury and also remains out. Le Bris said: "Dennis is getting better, like Reinildo – the timeline should be around 10 days depending on the last stage of their rehab.” | Getty Images