Both Sunderland and Middlesbrough have had questions around some of their players for our matchup on Saturday and with both gaffers doing their pre match press conferences today here is what they said.
SUNDERLAND
Last Saturday saw Dan Ballard limp off the pitch injured with the help of SAFC staff and he was also seen leaving Home Park in crutches. The other question marks were surrounding Alan Browne, who was wearing a knee brace during Tuesday night's talk in with our summer signings. RLB had this to say on the pair:
"Ballard should be okay for this weekend. For Browney we need at least one week more to be available."
Alan Browne will be a big miss on Saturday, with it being a game where an old head in the squad would have been ideal. As for Ballard, based off what Regis Le Bris has said you'd assume he'd keep his starting position although we do have Chris Mepham who should be ready if needed.
MIDDLESBROUGH
Middlesbrough also have two players who were questionable for Saturday, with Dutch defender Rav Ven Den Berg and defensive midfielder Jonny Howson nearing full fitness. Michael Carrick was keeping his cards close to his chest however, when he was asked about their availability he had this say:
"Jonny and Rav are a little bit closer but whether they’ll be close enough is a bit of a push. We will wait and see."
