Newcastle United v Sunderland early team news as five already out - plus five major doubts
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Sunderland v Newcastle United injury news: The latest from Regis Le Bris and Eddie Howe ahead of today’s Wear-Tyne derby.
Both Eddie Howe and Regis Le Bris have a number of injury concerns to deal with ahead of today’s clash between Newcastle United and Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Howe will have to manage his squad after a gruelling schedule that has seen them play a Champions League game in Germany in midweek and with a Carabao Cup quarter-final on the horizon. Of those sidelined Magpies players, there could be a few returning to the matchday squad very soon, although it appears that only Nick Pope is likely to do that this weekend.
Sunderland, meanwhile, will lose a host of players to the African Cup of Nations, although they will all be available to play this weekend. Luke O’Nien, one of the few Black Cats players who featured in the last Wear-Tyne derby, will not feature today after being sent off last weekend.
Here, we take a look at the latest injury news from both camps ahead of today’s Wear-Tyne derby.
Sunderland injury news v Newcastle United
Aji Alese - out
Alese has been ruled-out of action with a shoulder injury. The 24-year-old hasn’t featured at all for the Black Cats this season.
Luke O’Nien - out
O’Nien was shown a red card during the final few minutes of Sunderland’s defeat against Manchester City last weekend. He will serve the first match of a three-game ban this weekend.
Habib Diarra - out
Diarra has been sidelined with a groin injury in recent weeks and despite being called-up by Senegal for the upcoming international break, he is not expected to feature against the Magpies this afternoon.
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Reinildo - doubt
Reinildo missed Sunderland’s trip to the Etihad Stadium through injury, but Le Bris revealed that he was hopeful of having the defender available for selection.
Newcastle United injury news v Sunderland
Will Osula - out
An ankle injury has kept Osula sidelined since before the international break. He hasn’t been seen in action since coming on against West Ham at the London Stadium.
Howe revealed earlier this month that Osula’s injury needed more time to heal: “We need to have further discussions internally to see quite what's happening with his ankle, because it's not going in a straight line.”
Kieran Trippier - out
Trippier has not been named in any of Newcastle United’s last six matchday squads after suffering a hamstring injury. Howe has recently revealed that it would be a ‘few weeks’ before the defender returns to action.
Nick Pope - doubt
Pope hasn’t featured since November but could be set for a return to the squad this weekend. Howe revealed that Pope was the closest of his teammates to a potential return to the matchday squad this weekend.
Emil Krafth - doubt
Krafth hasn’t featured for Newcastle United since playing 45 minutes against West Ham at the London Stadium last month.
Sven Botman - doubt
Howe has revealed that Botman has been to see a specialist on a back injury.
Jamaal Lascelles - doubt
Lascelles hasn’t been seen in action since coming off the bench during their defeat against Arsenal in September. He hasn’t been named in a matchday squad since before the international break.