Sunderland will want to extend their outstanding start of the season when they meet Watford on Saturday.

Régis Le Bris anticipates another injury boost at the Academy of Light this week as Sunderland prepare to play Watford at Vicarage Road.

Ian Poveda has missed Sunderland’s previous two league games due to a thigh injury, although Le Bris stated after the 1-0 victory against Middlesbrough that he has a chance of joining the team.

“I think he will be available for our next training sessions, yes,” Le Bris answered. The 24-year-old would provide much-needed depth to a bench that has been largely untested in recent weeks. Le Bris had a significant boost last week when tests revealed that Dan Ballard had not sustained a catastrophic ankle injury as initially feared at Plymouth Argyle, with the important defender well enough to play as a late replacement at the Stadium of Light over the weekend.

“I think he will be available for our next training sessions, yes,” Le Bris answered. The 24-year-old would provide much-needed depth to a bench that has been largely untested in recent weeks. Le Bris had a significant boost last week when tests revealed that Dan Ballard had not sustained a catastrophic ankle injury as initially feared at Plymouth Argyle, with the important defender well enough to play as a late replacement at the Stadium of Light over the weekend.

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