Sunderland

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Sunderland manager Regis le Bris remained phlegmatic despite a stoppage-time goal condemning them to defeat at Stoke City.

"[I am] Disappointed but it is a long league and a tough league with many, many games in a short period," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"The most difficult part of the pitch is always the final third. We created many chances I think we had 22 shots and two on the post, three big saves from the goalkeeper. Sometimes football is like that.

"Sometimes you score with one chance and other times you can't score with six, seven, eight or nine big chances.

"But the spirit was good and we have to keep the way we want to play. Sometimes we deserve to win and we don't so no drama."

Their next two league games are both at home, against Sheffield United and Portsmouth.

Nick Barnes
BBC Radio Newcastle

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What do Sunderland need in January?

As has been the case for several seasons now, a striker is once again a priority. Regis Le Bris has made no secret of the need for someone reliable up front and has stressed in recent weeks if they continue to create chances and fail to take them they will need reinforcements.

A right-back is arguably required but aside from that the midfield and defence is fairly robust.

What sort of business are they likely to do?

With several players due back from injury and most areas of the team well covered it's likely that business in January will be fairly limited.

Jordan Henderson's name keeps resurfacing and while fans would love to see him return it appears to fly in the face of the club model of recruiting young players with a sell-on value.

How successful have they been in recent January windows?

Hit and miss. Last season was quiet. Leo Hjelde and Romaine Mundle arrived on permanent deals and while Hjelde has struggled to make an impact, Mundle has been a surprise success but unfortunately ruled out for two months with a hamstring injury.

However, with him being due to return soon he will appear as good as a new signing.

Are there likely to be any notable departures?

The club will try to move on Adil Aouchiche, Abdoullah Ba and perhaps Nazariy Rusyn. A few players may leave on loan. Joe Anderson, Zak Johnson and Jewison Bennette come to mind.

The biggest challenge will be keeping hold of their 'star' players - but they are all under contract and barring any offers that are just too good to turn down, it is unlikely there will be any departures.

If there are it would be hoped a deal would be struck for a loan back to the end of the season.

How important is the transfer window likely to be in determining the success of their season?

Potentially critical. If Sunderland are still in the top six, the window could be vital in terms of both players arriving and leaving. Fans will gauge the club's ambitions by the measure of the January business.

Another top versus bottom-half match-up on Sunday sees Stoke City host Sunderland.

The Black Cats, who are currently fourth in the Championship, got the better of the Potters a few weeks ago and Stoke have since parted ways with manager Narcis Pelach after their Boxing Day loss to league leaders Leeds left them languishing down in 19th.

• Stoke have lost one of their last seven home league games against Sunderland (W3 D3), losing 1-0 in 2022-23.

• Sunderland are looking to win three consecutive league games against Stoke City for the first time since a run of five between 1934 and 1936.

• Stoke are winless in their final league game of the calendar year in each of the last eight years (D3 L5) since winning 4-3 against Everton back in 2015.

• Sunderland are unbeaten in their final league game of the year in each of the last seven years (W4 D3) since they lost 4-1 to Burnley in 2016.

• Sunderland haven't lost any of their last nine league games against sides with 'City' in their name (W6 D3) since losing to last season's champions Leicester City in March.

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Regis Le Bris says consistency across 90 minutes is vital for Sunderland after they recovered from a poor first half to lead at Blackburn before having to settle for a point.

The Black Cats scarcely mustered a single attack of note during the opening 45 minutes, but fought back to take a 2-1 advantage as Chris Rigg and Wilson Isidor both found the net in quick succession.

However, the Wearsiders were pegged back by Blackburn substitute Harry Leonard's late equaliser and head coach Le Bris told BBC Radio Newcastle: "We have to work again on our consistency, it's a key word for a team to be at the top of the league.

"It wasn't our best start, we were just not at our best level but we reacted well in the second half. We played our football, we pressed high and recovered the ball and during the second half we had many chances to score.

"They reacted well, so they have the mentality – it's a question of starting from the beginning until the end."

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Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris says defender Dan Ballard will miss their remaining December games due to injury.

The 25-year-old hobbled off during the Black Cats' victory over Norwich City on Saturday after a collision with the Canaries' top scorer, Borja Sainz.

Sunderland are scheduled to take on Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City before the turn of the year.

"Dan will be unavailable." Le Bris said., external

"It's difficult to say how long he will be out exactly, probably two weeks at least. Maybe a little bit more."

Ballard joined Sunderland from Arsenal in 2022 and this season has made 12 appearances.

Blackburn's defeat by Millwall at the weekend ended a run of six consecutive victories in the Championship.

Sunderland are one place above John Eustace's side but are six points ahead of them prior to the midway point of the season.

The Black Cats are unbeaten in their past four league games coming into the trip to Ewood Park.

• Blackburn have won three of their last five league games against Sunderland (L2), winning 5-1 in the most recent meeting in April.

• Sunderland won 3-1 at Ewood Park in the Championship last season – they last won consecutive league visits to Blackburn in September 1975.

• Blackburn Rovers have won one of their last 14 league matches on Boxing Day (D6 L7), beating Rochdale 2-0 in League One back in 2017.

• Sunderland have won three of their last four league games on Boxing Day, having lost four in a row between 2014 and 2017.

• Sunderland's Alan Browne has scored in four of his last five Championship appearances on Boxing Day, doing so for Preston in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2023. Indeed, in Championship history (2004-05 onwards), only Jobi McAnuff has more Boxing Day goals (5).

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Teenager Harrison Jones has signed a new contract to keep him at Sunderland until 2026.

The 19-year-old midfielder has been with the Black Cats since he was six, coming through all the age-group levels.

Jones made his first-team debut as a substitute in the EFL Cup against Preston North End in August.

"This is my home, this has been my life for nearly 15 years now. I'm excited to see what the future holds," he told the club's website, external.

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Fourth-placed Sunderland came from a goal behind to beat Norwich 2-1 after the visitors were reduced to 10 men in the second half of a game which saw five bookings apiece.

Head coach Regis Le Bris told BBC Radio Newcastle: "It was another tough game. Our opponent played well, we expected that, they are a good team, they can press and defend. It was a good challenge for us.

"The game was unstable with many mistakes from both sides but in the end we found a solution to win so it's good for us.

"The game was a little bit crazy, (a team) has to manage it properly. The referee did what he thought was best.

"During the corner kick (from which Norwich scored) I think it's a question of mentality. We had a lack of energy during that part of the game and it changed the dynamic.

"If we want to win more games we have to be well-rounded and set pieces are very important for that.

"It's not a question of snapping your fingers, you have to work on it, to show your improvements, from corners we are probably better, from throw-ins we still have work to do.

"Jobe is so powerful, he has the good quality to affect the game, it's not a surprise to us, he did very well today."

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Sunderland might include Ian Poveda in the squad for Saturday's Championship match at home to Norwich City.

The winger, who joined on a free transfer from Leeds United in July, has managed just three substitute appearances this season before picking up a thigh injury in a 2-0 win over Derby County in October.

"Ian has trained for just over a week now, so he's in really good shape," Black Cats head coach Regis le Bris told his pre-match media conference., external

"He's not ready to play a full game, but he can be a substitute."

In the past three years Colombia international Poveda has also had loan spells with Blackburn Rovers, Blackpool and Sheffield Wednesday but only made 22 league starts.

Sunderland are fourth in the Championship, two points short of the automatic promotion places, before the weekend meeting with the Canaries.

Sunderland are aiming to maintain the pace in the race for promotion as they host Norwich on Saturday.

The Black Cats are seeking to make it 11 home games unbeaten this season while the Canaries are winless in seven league games since September.

• Sunderland have lost just two of their past seven league games against Norwich City (W4 D1), though one of those defeats came in their last such meeting against the Canaries back in March (1-0)

• Norwich City have lost just one of their past six away league games against Sunderland (W2 D3), despite only scoring more than one goal in just one of those matches

• Sunderland are the only side in the Championship so far this season yet to concede a goal from a corner

• Norwich's 21 games in the Championship this season have seen 3.24 goals scored on average – the highest tally in the competition

• This season in the Championship, Norwich hold the best shot conversion rate of any side in the competition (15.3%); a tally substantially ahead of second-ranked Watford (11.9%)

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One of Sunderland's most successful academy graduates has heaped praise on the club's latest crop of emerging young talent.

Chris Rigg has started 19 of Sunderland's 21 league games, despite only turning 17 in June, while 18-year-old Tommy Watson started six straight games before missing Saturday's trip to Swansea through injury, scoring both goals in a 2-1 win at Stoke earlier this month.

Fellow academy graduate Dan Neil was installed as club captain this season while Anthony Patterson owns the number one shirt and Zak Johnson, Harrison Jones and Trey Ogunsuyi have also been part of the first-team squad this season.

Sunderland-born Gary Owers came through the Black Cats academy in the 1980s and went on to make more than 300 appearances for the club, including the 1992 FA Cup Final.

He later joined Bristol City and, after a spell in management, currently works as a summariser for BBC Radio Bristol.

Owers told the Sunderland website, external: "They are brilliant young talents. I think it's great for the club as they've built a reputation for producing young players.

"More importantly I think it's great for the supporters who really associate with young players coming through. They play without any fear.

"Hopefully we can keep them because often at this level, anyone that shows any signs of talent often leaves."

He added: "Sunderland belong in the Premier League, they've got unbelievable support.

"The manager (Regis Le Bris) has come in and had an impact. Hopefully they can keep that momentum and it can take them all the way to the end of the season so the fans can celebrate."

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Sunderland captain Dan Neil said he is beginning to show his true form after admitting to a slow start to the season.

The midfielder scored the equaliser on Saturday as the Black Cats came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Swansea.

"All three of my performances this week have been a lot better - (I'm) trying to be on the front foot and take the game by the scruff of the neck," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"I know deep down I didn't start the season well - footballers know when they are playing well and when they're not but for me its about sticking to the processes and my routine. Eventually you rise up and start playing better and I think that's starting to show now."

Neil's comments come after recent criticism from some sections of the Sunderland support but the 23-year-old says it has taken him time to adjust under new boss Regis Le Bris, having been handed the team captaincy.

"I've got a new role this year in terms of leadership and in the formation of the team so I started a little bit slow but I'm getting used to it every week.

"In recent years I've started seasons really fast and almost tailed off a bit so I'm hoping it's the opposite this year and when we get to the business end I'm firing on all cylinders."

Sunderland are fourth in the Championship and host Norwich City on Saturday.