– Jocelin Ta Bi could return this weekend
– Another two wingers have stepped up their recoveries
– Major boost for Sunderland ahead of the run-in
Sunderland head to Wolves this weekend with a welcome lift on the injury front.
Sunderland will be desperate to respond after last week’s crushing 5-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, with a trip to the league’s bottom club offering the perfect chance.
The Black Cats have been short of options out wide in recent weeks, but Régis Le Bris has confirmed three wingers are close to returning.
Jocelin Ta Bi should make squad
After joining from Maccabi Netanya in January, Jocelin Ta Bi suffered an ankle injury on his Premier League debut against Fulham, an issue that looked likely to bring a premature end to his season.
However, Le Bris has confirmed that the Ivorian has made better progress than expected and will ‘probably’ make the squad this weekend.
Ta Bi returned to training earlier in the week, raising hopes of a timely return and another glimpse for Sunderland supporters of their new signing.
Positive updates on Bertrand Traoré and Nilson Angulo
Le Bris offered further encouragement, revealing Bertrand Traoré and Nilson Angulo have advanced in their recoveries and may make the squad.
Angulo hasn’t featured since Sunderland’s shock FA Cup defeat to Port Vale in early March, while Traoré has been sidelined since the game prior, a 1-0 win away at Leeds.
Le Bris said: “We had this period with four wingers injured at the same time, but three of them should be available soon.
“Probably Jocelin this weekend and we’ll make the decision for Berto and Nilson if they are available this weekend or the week after. They are on the edge and in a good place.”
Timely boost for Sunderland’s run-in
Sunderland have had to rely on Enzo Le Fée and Chris Rigg in wide roles, despite both being more comfortable centrally, underlining Le Bris’ lack of options.
With the trio sidelined, as well as Romain Mundle, their attack has suffered in terms of pace and directness, but the return of the wingers should help restore that edge.
With just four games remaining, Sunderland still have an outside chance of qualifying for Europe and this is certainly a timely boost, as Le Bris concurred: “Everyone watched the Champions League, for example. I think the forwards have this ability to change the game. Without them, we try to find other options, but it’s not easy.”
