Will Aji Alese's injury mean Sunderland sign a new defender? Regis Le Bris explains..
REGIS LE BRIS has admitted Aji Alese’s latest setback has left Sunderland at “the limit” of their defensive numbers, and while he still does not currently see the need for transfer activity in that area this month, that would change if another defender was to become unavailable.
Alese was stretchered off in the second half of last weekend’s defeat to Stoke City with what appeared to be a serious knee injury.
The 23-year-old will undergo surgery that is expected to keep him on the sidelines for at least a couple of months, with his absence set to deprive Le Bris of one of his key defensive options.
Alese has played at both centre-half and left-back this season, and while Le Bris is confident he can cover for the former West Ham trainee’s absence, he admits the club’s defensive resources are now stretched to something close to their limit.
“It (defence) was a part of the squad where we felt comfortable,” said the Black Cats boss. “But with one less player, probably for a couple of months or so, it will be more difficult.
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“It’s still a question of balance and opportunities though. At the moment, I think we have six good players (in defence) ready to play.
“That is a good situation, but it is probably the limit. With one less, it would be a problem, so we will see what happens and then we will decide.”
Alese has suffered from a succession of injury issues since joining Sunderland in the summer of 2022. He only made two appearances in the whole of last season prior to returning to action in April, having also been sidelined for the final two months of the previous campaign before making a brief return as a substitute in the second leg of the play-off semi-final defeat at Luton Town.
His latest injury issue is another major blow, which is set to keep him on the sidelines for the majority of the rest of the season.
“I don't have a full update,” said Le Bris. “We have to wait for the surgery and the results after, but it should be a long time he will be out.”
