Four Players Already Ruled Out And Nine Doubtful For Cardiff City VS Sunderland

Sunderland are preparing for their Championship fixture against Cardiff following the international break, despite injury concerns for both teams.

The Black Cats have lost their last seven matches, including a goalless draw against QPR. With only eight league games remaining this season, interim manager Mike Dodds will be hoping that some of his injured players will be ready to return after the break.

Here’s the latest Sunderland and Cardiff injury and team news before their match at Cardiff City Stadium:

Roberts has missed Sunderland's last six matches with a hamstring injury and is unlikely to feature against Cardiff. While the Black Cats haven't completely given up hope the winger could return over the Easter weekend, next month's home match against Bristol City is probably a more realistic return date.

1. Patrick Roberts (Sunderland) – DOUBT

Roberts has missed the last six Sunderland matches due to a hamstring injury and is unlikely to play against Cardiff. While the Black Cats haven’t given up hope that the winger will return for the Easter weekend, next month’s home game against Bristol City is perhaps a more realistic comeback date.

The Cardiff goalkeeper, who has made 24 league appearances this season, suffered a knee injury in February and hasn't been part of the side's matchday squad for their last eight league matches.

2. Jak Alnwick (Cardiff)

Cardiff’s goalkeeper, who has made 24 league appearances this season, suffered a knee injury in February and has missed the team’s last eight league games.

Seelt is set to miss the rest of this season after picking up a knee injury against Southampton.

3. Jenson Seelt (Sunderland) – OUT

Seelt is poised to miss the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury against Southampton.

Etete picked up a groin issue during a match against Bristol City at the start of March and hasn't been part of Cardiff's squad for the Bluebirds' last three matches.

4. Kion Etete (Cardiff) – DOUBT

Etete suffered a groin injury against Bristol City in early March and has missed Cardiff’s previous three games.

Like Roberts, the Cardiff game is likely to come too soon for Clarke, who sustained an ankle ligament injury in February. Again, Sunderland's home match against Bristol City may be a more realistic return date.

5. Jack Clarke (Sunderland) – DOUBT

Clarke, like Roberts, is expected to be rushed into the Cardiff game after suffering an ankle ligament damage in February. Again, Sunderland’s home encounter against Bristol City could be a more realistic comeback date.

The central defender was ruled out for six to eight weeks with a hamstring injury at the start of February and has missed Cardiff's last nine league games.

6. Mark McGuinness (Cardiff) – DOUBT

At the beginning of February, the central defender was sidelined for six to eight weeks due to a hamstring injury and has missed Cardiff’s previous nine league games.

Rusyn missed Sunderland's goalless draw against QPR yet the extent of the injury wasn't clear.

7. Nazariy Rusyn (Sunderland) – DOUBT

Rusyn missed Sunderland’s goalless draw with QPR, but the extent of his injury was unclear.

Robinson hasn't played for Cardiff's first team since December following an injury and lengthy illness.

8. Callum Robinson (Cardiff) – DOUBT

Robinson has not featured for Cardiff’s first team since December due to an injury and a lengthy sickness.

After returning from a thigh injury, Embleton rolled his ankle in training last month and is not yet ready to make his comeback.

9. Elliot Embleton (Sunderland) – OUT

After recovering from a thigh ailment, Embleton injured his ankle in training last month and is not yet ready to return.

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. Dennis Cirkin (Sunderland) – OUT

Cirkin has been out since November with a hamstring ailment, for which he underwent surgery. The fullback is not anticipated to return until late April.

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.

11. Niall Huggins (Sunderland) – OUT

The full-back was stretchered off during Sunderland’s 3-0 defeat to Coventry in December and is expected to miss the remainder of the season due to a knee injury.

After starting three successive matches at the start of this year, Alese suffered another injury setback in January. The defender played 45 minutes for Sunderland's under-21s side but won't be rushed back.

12. Aji Alese (Sunderland) – DOUBT

Alese experienced another injury setback in January after starting three consecutive matches earlier this year. The defender played 45 minutes for Sunderland’s under-21 team but will not be rushed back.

Evans is nearing his long-awaited return after suffering an ACL injury in January last year. The midfielder has played twice for the under-21s side and could be brought back into the first-team squad.

13. Corry Evans (Sunderland) – OUT

Evans is nearing his long-awaited return after sustaining an ACL injury in January of last year. The midfielder has featured twice for the under-21s side and may be invited back into the first-team squad.