Alious
Regis Le Bris’s impressive leadership at Sunderland has been rewarded with a major squad boost, further fueling their ambitions to remain among England’s elite in the Premier League. Fresh off an energizing result in their last outing, Sunderland continue to receive encouraging developments regarding player availability—crucial for sustaining their remarkable run this season.
With the team currently sitting 6th in the Premier League, Sunderland have become the league’s breakout story of 2025—defying expectations and establishing themselves among the top-performing sides in the country. Their focus now sharpens on the upcoming Wear–Tyne Derby, where the availability of seven key players gives them a strategic advantage.
Seven AFCON-bound players available for the derby
In a major relief for the Black Cats, Sunderland will have access to seven important players before they travel for AFCON duties, as confirmed through FPL Focal and the tournament’s regulations. The players—Habid Diarra, Noah Sadiki, Bertrand Traoré, Chemsdine Talbi, Arthur Masuaku, Simon Adingra, and Reinildo Mandava—can remain with the club until December 15. Since the derby takes place on December 14, all seven will be cleared to play.
This extra time window grants Le Bris the opportunity to prepare meticulously for the high-stakes rivalry match, particularly after strong showings against elite sides such as Arsenal and Chelsea. With his squad intact and physically prepared, Sunderland aim to continue their consistent Premier League performance.
On the other side, Newcastle sit 13th with 18 points after 13 matches—five places behind Sunderland, who hold 22 points. The gap highlights the transformational effect of Le Bris’s management following their promotion.
And the optimism doesn’t stop there—there are already strong indications that Sunderland are planning bold investment moves in the January transfer window, reinforcing their intent to maintain momentum and remain a serious top-flight contender.
Alious
