Sunderland travel to Bristol City for a clash against their potential play-off opponents

Sunderland prepare to take on Bristol City at Ashton Gate on Good Friday, with the Robins firmly in the play-off spots alongside the Black Cats. However, head coach Regis Le Bris has revealed that he is set to continue rotating the team.

Sunderland were beaten at home for only the second time this season last weekend by Swansea City. But, due to Le Bris’ stance on continuing to be cautious with his key players, the Frenchman will name a side similar to the one that was beaten 1-0 at the Stadium of Light.

The Sunderland boss confirmed that Dan Ballard is on his way back from injury and will return to training soon, but Friday’s game is too soon for the Northern Ireland international. The Frenchman also expects Dennis Cirkin and Leo Hjelde to return on Easter Monday, but once again, the Bristol City clash may come too soon. Aji Alese, Jenson Seelt, and Niall Huggins all remain long-term absentees.

Le Bris will likely opt for the back four of Alan Browne, Luke O’Nien, Chris Mepham, and Trai Hume; the same quartet that has started three of the last four games at the back.

Captain Dan Neil will continue to start in the engine room, but his usual midfield partner Jobe Bellingham looks set to miss out again, or at least from the start.

Le Bris said: “He will be available for Bristol, but it is important we are patient. He may play a smaller part.” Jobe may come off the bench, but given Le Bris’ comments, he looks unlikely to start on Friday.

Academy product Harrison Jones could see his second start in as many games after the 20-year-old made just his third appearance for Sunderland this season against Swansea. Roberts and Watson are the Black Cats’ only recognised wingers available to Le Bris due to Sunderland’s ongoing injury crisis and will get the nod against Bristol.

Chris Rigg looks to start his 34th game of the season as the 17-year-old likely gets the nod ahead of fit-again Enzo Le Fee. Le Bris has been cautious with the on-loan Roma star since his return from injury, with the Frenchman making all three appearances since his hamstring injury from the bench and averaging just 24 minutes in those games.

Le Bris said: “With Enzo [Le Fee] we know Enzo can really help the team, but we didn’t want to rush the process. Maybe he could have started against Swansea and the outcome might have been different but we want to manage the process gradually and it was the right decision.”

Le Bris will likely give Wilson Isidor a chance to break his nine-game goal drought against the Robins. Sunderland’s leading goal scorer last found the net against Leeds United in February.

Isidor has started five of the nine games since he last scored, with fellow striker Eliezer Mayenda also starting five of the last nine matches for the Black Cats. The Spaniard has scored three times since Isidor’s last goal.

Sunderland predicted XI to face Bristol City: Patterson; Browne, O’Nien, Mepham, Hume; Neil, Jones; Roberts, Rigg, Watson; Isidor.