Sunderland injury update: Anthony Patterson Chris Rigg & Wilson Isidor…
REGIS LE BRIS is hoping that Anthony Patterson, Chris Rigg and Wilson Isidor will all be available for Sunderland’s Premier League opener against West Ham.
The trio were all absent at Tynecastle this afternoon as the Black Cats continued their pre-season preparations with a 3-0 defeat to Hearts.
Isidor suffered a contact injury to his knee during Sunderland’s draw with Sevilla on their pre-season trip to Portugal, but should be back in training by the end of next week.
Patterson and Rigg were not involved in their side’s two matches on the Algarve, and while they will also miss Tuesday’s trip to Hull City and next weekend’s home game with Rea Betis, they remain on course to be available for the opening game of the Premier League season on August 16.
“We hope that all three will be ready for the start of the season,” said Le Bris. “Wilson will probably be available after the Hull game, so he is not too far away.
“For Patto and Riggy, it will take a bit longer. It will probably take more like ten days for them to be able to take part in full competition.
“By that stage, they should be back doing everything, so hopefully they will have a chance for the first game. It’s possible.”
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What was missing as Sunderland crashed to a three-goal friendly defeat at Hearts
In the trio’s absence, Sunderland suffered a heavy defeat to a Hearts side that will kick off the new Scottish Premier League season next weekend.
The Black Cats failed to seriously test Hearts goalkeeper Zander Clark and were outmuscled throughout as their opponents scored through Claudio Braga, Lawrence Shankland and Alexandros Kyziridis.
“It was a tough result and a tough game,” said Le Bris. “Before the game, I told the players that it would probably be the first game this season with intensity, duels and a need to properly manage direct play, and that was the case.
“We struggled against their direct play, especially on our left side. We struggled in duels in general, so it was tough. We didn’t manage their man-for-man properly, so we got dominated in every phase. At the end, the result was well deserved.”
While Sunderland’s players had been able to cruise through last week’s games against Sevilla and Sporting CP, today’s match provided them with a reminder of the intensity levels that will be required in the Premier League next season.
“We need to get to the right level of intensity,” admitted Le Bris. “This was an important reminder because we need this type of experience to be at the right level.
“In the last two games, we were more focused about tactics because the games were slow, with another style of play. Here, it was more what we can expect in terms of the speed, intensity and level of commitment. We have to manage both, but this afternoon, we were not ready for that part of things.”
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