Bellingham fit to return for Luton gamepublished at 15:27 11 February
15:27 11 February
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Image caption,
Jobe Bellingham has scored four goals in his 27 appearances this season
Jobe Bellingham is fit to return to Sunderland's team for Wednesday's home game with Luton Town after recovering from an ankle injury.
The knock kept him out of Saturday's 2-2 draw at home to Watford as the Black Cats lost ground in the promotion race.
The midfielder, 19, has missed four Championship games this season and Sunderland have not won any of them, drawing all four.
But with him available and wingers Romaine Mundle and Tommy Watson close to a return, head coach Regis Le Bris is thankful for the extra numbers as the season enters the final third.
"With more depth in our squad, it's now possible to manage the game differently," said the Frenchman.
"In the early part of the season, Dan (Neil) and Jobe played so many games and they were tired but they had to play full games.
"But now we'll have the option to manage differently - maybe one player can start until the 65th minute and we'll have another fresh player on the bench ready to play with full intensity.
"That's good for the performance of the team."
Pick of the stats: Sunderland v Luton Townpublished at 09:45 11 February
09:45 11 February
Luton Town make the trip up to the Stadium of Light on Wednesday (19:45 GMT) as boss Matt Bloomfield searches for his first win in charge.
The Hatters only managed to come away with a point against Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend, leaving them second from bottom of the table and just two points above basement dwellers Plymouth Argyle.
Meanwhile, Sunderland also came out with a draw on Saturday to see them five points adrift of Sheffield United and seven off Leeds United in the automatic promotion places.
Sunderland are unbeaten across their last 10 league games against Luton Town (W5 D5), winning the reverse fixture 2-1 in October.
Luton Town are winless across their last 15 away league games against Sunderland (W9 D6), since a 1-0 win at Roker Park in September 1973.
Sunderland have won 12 of their last 18 league games played on Wednesdays (D2 L4), winning two out of three this season (D1).
Since Christmas, Luton Town have collected the fewest points of any Championship (2 – D2 L6) and are the only side in the division without a victory in this time.
Matt Bloomfield is winless in his four Championship games as Luton manager (D2 L2). The last Hatters boss to have a longer winless start in the league was Mick Harford in the 2007-08 season (12 games).
Mixed feelings for Le Bris after Watford drawpublished at 16:16 8 February
16:16 8 February
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Image caption,
Sunderland have won nine and drawn six of their 15 Championship home games this season
It was mixed feelings for Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris as his side played out a 2-2 home draw with Watford.
The Black Cats lost ground on promotion rivals Leeds United and Burnley following their midweek wins, but they scrambled a point thanks to Dennis Cirkin's 89th minute goal to preserve their unbeaten home record.
But it was a second straight draw at home, having drawn with bottom side Plymouth Argyle at the Stadium of Light a fortnight ago.
"We started well and finished well, but I'm a bit disappointed," Le Bris told BBC Radio Newcastle.
"It wasn't a surprise the challenge we faced as this team has many powerful players. It suited perfectly with our own weaknesses and we were dominated one-v-one.
"After their second goal, we played to our strengths and it was more positive as it's not easy to change the dynamic of a game.
"Our second half was better with some subs and at the end, their goalkeeper was man-of-the-match, so we had chances to win."
Le Bris wary of threat of 'dangerous' Watfordpublished at 16:01 7 February
16:01 7 February
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Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris is wary of the threat of Saturday's visitors Watford and hopes the Hornets do not "wake up" at the Stadium of Light.
Watford boss Tom Cleverley has come under mounting pressure as his side have lost seven of their nine games in all competitions since 29 December, including the past three in a row.
The Hornets have slipped out of the top six and are 12th before Saturday's 12:30 GMT kick-off against a Black Cats side in fourth but seeking to go level on points with second-placed Burnley by winning their game in hand.
Le Bris told BBC Radio Newcastle: "It's really dangerous because we know they have good potential but we don't know when they will wake up.
"If it's at the Stadium of Light it's a shame for us. We have to focus on our game, how we want to play, with our good qualities, our strengths and we have to avoid mistakes.
"It's a different style of team with good players for sure. Sometimes as a team you struggle and you don't know why. Suddenly like that you can find a new rhythm because the events of a game can reconnect you."
Le Bris reported that Alan Browne is available after injury, while Romaine Mundle and Tommy Watson could be back before the end of the month.
Image source, Rex Features
Image caption,
Jayden Danns (right) will have to wait for his Sunderland debut
In his pre-match press conference, Le Bris also reacted to the transfer window, saying the club managed to stave off interest in some of their big names and revealing an "underlying issue" which showed up during Jayden Danns' medical and might keep the Liverpool loanee out for a couple of weeks.
He said: "Five players left - it was an important move for them to find game time and play.
"When we have very good players, some interest can be around, but we kept them with us. They trust us and we trust them. The confidence is really shared."
He also said the Black Cats were trying to find a new club for Jewison Bennette after his deadline day move to Charlton fell through, adding: "There are some markets still open, we'll see if it's possible to find another club."
One departure which Le Bris admitted was "not ideal" was assistant Mike Dodds leaving to take over at Wycombe.
"It was a tough decision for him, we've enjoyed the connection," Le Bris said. "He wanted to be a head coach and we respect that. Our staff is in a good place. We'll see about a new assistant, we'll probably decide in the next seven to 10 days on the setup.
"It's not ideal [at this stage of the season] but professional life is not like that."
Trafford picks up player of the month gongpublished at 11:21 7 February
11:21 7 February
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Image caption,
James Trafford saved two penalties in the final minutes against Sunderland at Turf Moor
Burnley keeper James Trafford has been named the Championship player of the month for January.
The 22-year-old did not concede a single goal, keeping six clean sheets and saving two Wilson Isidor penalties in the dying minutes to ensure a point against promotion-rivals Sunderland.
Burnley manager Scott Parker told the EFL website, external: "This is well deserved. James has been incredible all season, not just this month. Since I arrived he has been a top professional and a rock for the team."
Sky Sports' EFL pundit Don Goodman said: "On individual performance, it would be difficult to have a more perfect month than James Trafford.
"Burnley's defensive stability is going to be the key in their bid for promotion, and Trafford is central to that."
Coventry midfielder Jamie Allen, Oxford United defender Ciaron Brown and Sunderland keeper Anthony Patterson were also up for the award.
Pick of the stats: Sunderland v Watfordpublished at 13:19 6 February
13:19 6 February
Sunderland welcome Watford on Saturday (12:30 GMT) looking to keep their automatic promotion bid alive.
The Black Cats are unbeaten in six matches (W4 D2) following a dramatic 3-2 win at local rivals Middlesbrough on Monday night and are three points behind both Burnley in second and Sheffield United in third.
A run of just one win in eight (D1 L6) has seen the Hornets slip to 12th but they are still only three points off the play-off spots.
Sunderland have won six of their past eight home league games against Watford (D1 L1), including victory in this exact fixture last season via a 2-0 scoreline.
Watford have won each of their past two league games against Sunderland and will be looking to win three in succession for the first time since January 1993.
Sunderland are unbeaten in all 14 of their Championship home games this season (W9 D5) – they last had a longer unbeaten home run from the start of a second tier (or higher) campaign in 1979-80, when they were unbeaten in all 21 at Roker Park.
Watford have lost six of their past eight league games (W1 D1), including each of the past three in a row. They've not lost four consecutively in the second tier since November 2014.
Wilson Isidor has scored in four of his past six league games for Sunderland, including the past two in a row. He last scored in three consecutive league games in July 2023, in the Russian Premier League with Lokomotiv Moscow.
Allen, Brown, Patterson & Trafford up for PotM gongpublished at 12:53 6 February
12:53 6 February
Image source, Getty Images
Coventry midfielder Jamie Allen, Oxford United defender Ciaron Brown, Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson and Burnley stopper James Trafford are the four nominees for the Championship's player of the month award for January.
Allen was injured when Frank Lampard first took over at the Sky Blues but his return to action helped City climb the table with his energy, ability to break up play and influence leading to him being handed the captain's armband.
Oxford's form since Gary Rowett took over has caught the eye and Brown has been at the heart of their improved defensive displays, helping the U's keep three clean sheets in six games in January and netting a neat equaliser against Luton to boot.
Black Cats keeper Patterson helped Sunderland keep three clean sheets in five games during the month, saving a penalty at 0-0 in an eventual win against Sheffield United, producing a brilliant one-handed stop in the goalless draw at Burnley and helping preserve a 1-0 win at Derby.
Clarets keeper Trafford was unbeatable in January with a pristine record of six clean sheets with the highlights coming in that stalemate against Burnley's promotion rivals as he saved two Wilson Isidor penalties in the dying minutes against Sunderland as well as making a crucial late stop against Leeds.
Cifuentes, Le Bris, Riza and Rowett up for January awardpublished at 12:03 6 February
12:03 6 February
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Queens Park Rangers' Marti Cifuentes, Sunderland's Regis Le Bris, Cardiff's Omer Riza and Oxford United's Gary Rowett are the four nominees for the Championship's manager of the month award for January.
It's a second straight nomination for Cifuentes, who guided the Hoops to four wins from their five matches in the month to pull further away from danger and towards the play-off pack.
Le Bris's Sunderland kept pace with the automatic promotion race off the back of an unbeaten month, picking up 11 points from five matches, including a 2-1 win over rivals Sheffield United and a goalless draw at Burnley.
Riza also guided Cardiff to an unbeaten month, taking 10 points from six matches, including a memorable 3-0 win over Swansea City in the south Wales derby, and a comeback at Millwall to snatch a 2-2 draw in the dying seconds.
Oxford United's resurgence under Rowett continued with an unbeaten January, claiming 12 points from six matches to haul the U's away from the relegation zone and into mid-table.
The winner of the award will be announced on Friday morning.
'How have we got Le Fee in the Championship?'published at 09:42 5 February
09:42 5 February
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Image caption,
Enzo Le Fee seems to have impressed the Black Cats faithful already
On Tuesday, we asked what you made of Sunderland's business in the transfer window.
The key deals saw top scorer Wilson Isidor turn his loan from Zenit St Petersburg into a permanent deal at the Stadium of Light, while Liverpool forward Jayden Danns and Roma midfielder Enzo Le Fee have arrived on loan.
Here are some of your responses:
Raymond: Very encouraging indeed. If we can get our injured players back soon enough I really believe at last that we can make a push towards the Premier League.
Luke: Decent. Managed to hold on to our best players, that was the main thing! And got Enzo Le Fee who is quality.
Paul: I would have liked to have seen a commanding central defender coming in to strengthen the defensive options. However, signing Isidor, holding on to Rigg and bringing in Le Fee may just provide the extra drive and firepower we need to get into the top two.
Chris: Think it's being a good window. Isidor on a permanent deal and Le Fee looks like one of our best signings for a long time. And we've held on to our best players.
Steve: Good business. Very happy.
Colin: Not expecting a lot to be fair but the loan deals look very promising. Enzo looks good and young Danns could be interesting if he gets to play alongside Isidor up front.
Kevin: Very poor transfer work. I can't understand going all month and only coming up with a striker who is injured for several weeks. We seem to be unable to get a striker every window.
Gary: Enzo Le Fee is fantastic. I've no idea how we got him in the Championship - outstanding signing.
Derek: With key players coming back and Enzo Le Fee like having two extra players on the pitch, I think we have done well. Tommy Watson staying is a bonus.
How did Sunderland do in the transfer window?published at 15:27 4 February
15:27 4 February
Image source, Rex Features
Image caption,
Wilson Isidor has scored 10 Championship goals for Sunderland this season
It was a case of two in, one staying and three out for Sunderland in the January transfer window, but will it be enough to gain promotion?
Top scorer Wilson Isidor turned his loan from Zenit St Petersburg into a permanent deal at the Stadium of Light, while Liverpool forward Jayden Danns and Roma midfielder Enzo Le Fee have arrived on loan.
Heading out are forward Aaron Connolly, who has joined Millwall for an undisclosed fee, and midfielders Adil Aouchiche and Abdoullah Ba signing loan deals with Portsmouth and USL Dunkerque, respectively.
The 38-year-old was in interim charge of Sunderland three times for a total of 18 games, but is now the permanent number one at Adams Park.
Le Bris said he was thankful for how Dodds helped him to settle when he first arrived in England last summer.
"Mike was really important for me," said Le Bris.
"He helped me a lot when I came to the club to manage the first sessions, the first connections with the team and the club.
"We found a good set-up together. He decided to leave and it is a good opportunity for him because he wanted to become a head coach and we have to accept that.
"But at the same time, it is a bit of a regret for me because I think we worked well together."
Their victory came after immediate rivals Leeds and Sheffield United won at the weekend while Burnley drew.
"It's important we take it game by game. The only people who are going to stop us getting to where we want to is ourselves, and that's by becoming complacent and focusing on other teams too much," Neil told BBC Radio Newcastle.
"Last week was a prime example of that - we saw everyone else drop points, and playing bottom of the league Plymouth, thinking we could just turn up and win, and we said afterwards in this league you can't do that."
Sunderland's next games are at home to Watford, who have lost their past three matches, and Luton, who are currently second from bottom.
"There are teams fighting for their lives; there are teams fighting to get back in the play-off push. We learnt a harsh lesson last week and I'm sure it won't happen again," added Neil.
Ba joins French side USL Dunkerque on loanpublished at 00:46 4 February
00:46 4 February
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Image caption,
Abdoullah Ba has signed for French Ligue 2 side USL Dunkerque on loan
Sunderland's Abdoullah Ba has signed for French Ligue 2 side USL Dunkerque on loan for the rest of the season.
The 21-year-old joined the Black Cats in the summer of 2022 and has made 74 appearances for the club, although only one has come this season.
The midfielder started his career in France at Le Havre AC where he came through their academy sides.
Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said: "After playing regularly throughout his first two seasons at the Club, first-team opportunities have been limited for Abdoullah this season.
"We hope this move will be a platform for him to earn regular playing time before he returns to Sunderland at the end of the campaign.
"We wish him well and look forward to reviewing his progress throughout the next few months."
Le Bris' call for passion inspires Sunderland winpublished at 23:22 3 February
23:22 3 February
Image source, Rex Features
Image caption,
Regis Le Bris has lost just four of his 30 games in charge of Sunderland
Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris says that his call for more passion provided the difference in the Tees-Wear derby.
With the score at 1-1, Le Bris told his players at half-time that they needed to up that to take control.
And thanks to a late winner courtesy of Ryan Giles' own goal, the Black Cats claimed a first derby double over Middlesbrough since the 1961/62 season.
"Middlesbrough started very well, playing really good football. We conceded many situations so we were a little bit lucky not to concede a second goal.
"We stayed in the game, but it tested our patience as maybe we were a bit sloppy in possession.
"At half-time, we spoke about character, about playing with more passion.
"It was an intense game against a strong team and we had to play with 101%, not 80 or 85 or 90. And second half, we did that and we played a bit more vertical."
Foxes turn down McAteer bidpublished at 17:27 3 February
17:27 3 February
Nick Mashiter BBC Sport football news reporter
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Sunderland's substantial offer for Leicester City midfielder Kasey McAteer has been rejected.
It is slightly less than the initial £8m reported, but it has been turned down by the Foxes.
The 23-year-old has made 15 appearances for the club this season and has featured six times under current boss Ruud Van Nistelrooy.
The academy graduate, who is also a Republic of Ireland international, has scored seven goals in 45 appearances for the club and won the Championship with the Foxes last season.
Sunderland are fourth in the Championship and face Middlesbrough at Riverside Stadium tonight.
Liverpool youngsters may head out on loanpublished at 10:06 3 February
10:06 3 February
Mandeep Sanghera BBC Sport journalist
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The main action taking place at Liverpool on deadline day is concerning their younger players and the club weighing up whether to keep them at Anfield or send them out on loan for experience.
It seems likely that Reds forward Jayden Danns, 19, will be allowed to go out on loan to Sunderland, while winger Kaide Gordon, 20, will join Portsmouth until the end of the season.
Liverpool's 20-year-old midfielder James McConnell, who impressed manager Arne Slot in a Champions League defeat at PSV Eindhoven last week, will be staying put.
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