Sunderland will still have first-choice goalkeeper Anthony Patterson on the sidelines when they face QPR this weekend.
Regis Le Bris was forced to hand deputy goalie Simon Moore his first league appearance of the season against Oxford United and fared well as The Black Cats extended their advantage at the top of the Championship.
Keeper Still Out Of Training
Speaking to the press ahead of the trip to Loftus Road, Le Bris confirmed Patterson’s absence will continue into this week. (Quotes via Northern Echo):
“With Anthony, we have to wait. It’s not too serious, but it depends on his pain. At the minute, he can’t train, so it could be five days or one week maximum (until he is available again), I think.
“The international break might be good for him, but he could be back earlier, we don’t know. It is an unusual injury, so it depends on how he feels. At the minute, he’s not ready, but maybe next week, it will be possible.”
Moore joined this summer from Championship rivals Coventry City on a free transfer, and the 34-year-old is also the designated cup keeper for Sunderland, playing in the 2-0 loss against Preston North End in the EFL Cup.
Starlet Back In Contention
On a positive note, Le Bris confirmed his initial first-choice striker Eliezer Mayenda will be able to face Marti Cifuentes’ team this weekend. He had previously been spotted in training earlier this week during an open session.
Dan Ballard is closing in on resuming training but the trip to West London is too soon for the defender, who last played against Middlesbrough just after the September international break.
Writer’s View
Whilst certainly a frustrating issue, Regis Le Bris is likely to be unconcerned by Anthony Patterson’s absence this weekend. Simon Moore did brilliantly against Oxford United and will be ready to deputise once again against QPR. With the timeframe still uncertain around the 24-year-old’s timeframe to recovery, Moore will get to demonstrate he is still a quality keeper at this level until he returns.
1st Class Honours in Multimedia Journalism at Salford University. Writing mainly about League Two.
