With a long list of absentees, Régis Le Bris is juggling a challenging squad position at Sunderland.
Chris Mepham, an important defender, went to the verge of a one-game suspension against The Den on Saturday, giving Sunderland a new suspension problem.
Mepham received his fourth yellow card after being pushed into a challenge as Sunderland attempted to hold onto their lead against Millwall. He will be suspended after 19 games of the season if he plays one more in the next three games.
Three players are on four yellows, including the defence. Another is Chris Rigg, and Jobe Bellingham, who is getting ready to return from a three-game suspension for a straight red card at QPR, is still one yellow away from a one-game ban. When West Brom visits the Stadium of Light on Tuesday night, Patrick Roberts and Trai Hume, who served suspensions, will rejoin the team, just like Bellingham.
Wilson Isidor, who has already received two yellow cards this season, is the only other player who might potentially receive a suspension, so there aren’t many worries about any further suspension threats before the deadline.
With Dan Ballard and Aji Alese both fully recovered and playing well in the 1-1 draw at Millwall, Le Bris does have good options in the heart of defence in the event that Mepham receives a suspension. Alese might play in central defence if needed since Dennis Cirkin is anticipated to return soon from a wrist ailment.
