Three isn’t the magic number for Jack Ross’ third-tier Black Cats

Posted Friday, August 03, 2018 by PA

Sunderland will be without at least three of their new signings for their first competitive game under boss Jack Ross, Saturday’s Sky Bet League One campaign opener against Charlton at the Stadium of Light.

Summer arrivals Charlie Wyke, Tom Flanagan and Reece James, plus Duncan Watmore and Aiden McGeady, have been ruled out, while Ethan Robson is expected to be unavailable, and Dylan McGeouch, another new recruit, is a doubt.

There could be debuts for Chris Maguire, Jerome Sinclair, Luke O’Nien, Glenn Loovens, Jack Baldwin, Alim Ozturk and Jon McLaughlin.

Ross has said the hope with Wyke is that he will be back in training within the next three weeks, although it may take longer, and that the injury Flanagan has means he is set to spend a minimum of a fortnight on the sidelines.

It remains to be seen whether one of Charlton’s new players, Lyle Taylor, is involved.

The striker, who joined in June after leaving AFC Wimbledon, missed last Saturday’s 1-0 friendly win over Norwich due to injury, with the Addicks saying he would receive further treatment ahead of the Sunderland game.

Fellow new recruit Darren Pratley could make his competitive bow for the club.

Anfernee Dijksteel, who has had pneumonia, is back in training but caretaker boss Lee Bowyer has said the plan is that the first time he will play this season will be in the EFL Cup against MK Dons on August 14.