Who would’ve thought it would be possible to have a quiet week when Sunderland aren’t even playing?
The international break usually offers fans a rare opportunity to enjoy a weekend free from analysing every team selection — from debating which right-back is about to be deployed on the right wing or convincing ourselves that this will finally be the week a clean sheet arrives without drama — but instead, we’ve spent the past few days watching events unfold elsewhere and wondering just how much damage
this break might inflict on Régis Le Bris’ squad.
What should’ve been a period of rest and recovery has quickly become a nervous waiting game.
First came the uncertainty surrounding Granit Xhaka’s availability following the bizarre back-and-forth over his reported COVID vaccination status. While the details remain unclear, the speculation alone has been enough to leave us wondering what repercussions, if any, await our captain.
Then came the injury concerns.
Seeing Brian Brobbey and Dan Ballard both pull up with hamstring problems within a matter of days felt like a proper kick in the teeth. How long either player will be sidelined remains unknown, but that sometimes feels like the worst part as injuries sustained during international breaks always carry an added level of frustration.
Players leave Wearside fit and available, only for fans to spend the following days refreshing social media feeds, translating interviews and desperately searching for injury updates in the hope of some reassurance.
In the smallest of saving graces, both injuries occurred in their opening international fixtures. If either issue proves serious, at least there are no further games over the next fortnight to potentially make matters worse.
Defensively, we’re fortunate to have built some depth this summer and, on paper at least, should be able to absorb Ballard’s absence. Even so, it already feels like we’re approaching “wrap them in cotton wool” territory — one or two more knocks and suddenly a position of strength starts to look much weaker.
Brobbey’s injury is equally frustrating, arriving just as momentum appeared to be building for the Dutchman.
Fresh from what should have been a huge confidence boost, he looked ready to kick on. Thankfully, his injury appeared less severe than Ballard’s but it still leaves us a little lighter up top.
The silver lining is that it presents Wilson Isidor with another opportunity to stake his claim. Competition for places is healthy and when Brobbey returns, he’ll hopefully have a starting spot to win back rather than one waiting for him by default.
As for Xhaka, we’re all hoping the entire saga ends with little more than a fine and three weeks of rest that, truth be told, he probably needs.
No Sunderland this weekend was supposed to mean a break from this.
Instead, it’s somehow generated even more stress.
