Sunderland are preparing for their Championship match against Blackburn at the Stadium of Light, despite injury concerns on both sides.
On Good Friday, the Black Cats defeated Cardiff 2-0, with goals from Adil Aouchiche and Jobe Bellingham, ending a seven-match winless streak. Blackburn were defeated 1-0 by Ipswich last time out, bringing John Eustace’s side’s league winless streak to nine matches.
Here is the latest Sunderland and Blackburn injury and team news before of their match at the Stadium of Light:
1. Corry Evans (Sunderland) – DOUBT
Evans is nearing his long-awaited first-team return after suffering an ACL injury in January last year. The midfielder played twice for the under-21s side during the international break and could return to the squad.
2. Sam Gallagher (Blackburn) – DOUBT
Gallagher was set to start Blackburn’s fixture against Ipswich but had to withdraw from the squad due to an illness.
3. Nazariy Rusyn (Sunderland) – OUT
Rusyn has missed Sunderland’s last two matches with a calf issue and remains unavailable for the Blackburn fixture.
4. John Buckley (Blackburn) – DOUBT
Buckley also missed the game against Ipswich, after taking a knock on his knee. The midfielder will be assessed ahead of the Sunderland fixture.
5. Jack Clarke (Sunderland) – OUT
Clarke is set to miss the match against Blackburn as he recovers from an ankle injury but has been running at the Academy of Light. The winger should be able to return to action soon.
6. Kyle McFadzean (Blackburn) – DOUBT
The 37-year-old defender pulled out of training with a hamstring injury. The issue isn’t thought to be serious but it’s unclear whether McFadzean will be fit to face Sunderland.
7. Jenson Seelt (Sunderland) – OUT
Seelt is set to be sidelined for a significant period of time after sustaining a knee injury against Southampton, which will require an operation.
8. Harry Pickering (Blackburn) – DOUBT
Pickering went off with a minor knock in the closing stages of Blackburn’s match against Ipswich on Friday and will be assessed ahead of the Sunderland fixture.
9. Dennis Cirkin (Sunderland) – OUT
Cirkin has been sidelined since November with a hamstring injury and underwent surgery on the issue. The full-back isn’t expected to return until late April.
10. Harry Leonard (Blackburn) – OUT
The 20-year-old striker, who has scored three Championship goals this season, has been ruled out for the rest of the campaign with a back injury.
11. Elliot Embleton (Sunderland) – OUT
After returning from a thigh injury, Embleton rolled his ankle in training and is not yet ready to make his comeback.
12. John Fleck (Blackburn) – OUT
Fleck has made just one Championship appearance since joining Blackburn in January and is set to miss the rest of this season with a shin injury.
13. Niall Huggins (Sunderland) – OUT
The full-back was stretchered off during Sunderland’s 3-0 defeat against Coventry in December and is set to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.
14. Arnor Sigurdsson (Blackburn) – OUT
The Icelandic striker, who has scored five league goals this term, is set to miss the rest of this season with an ankle injury.
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