Jobe Bellingham's Sunderland absence vs Watford explained after injury confirmation
SUNDERLAND are without Jobe Bellingham for today's game against Watford.
The midfielder is replaced by Salis Abdul Samed in what is the only change from the team that started against Middlesbrough on Monday night.
On Bellingham, Regis Le Bris said: "It's just a small injury with his ankle, but not serious. He could have played, but it was better to avoid this game and prepare the next one, and to be fresh."
Bellingham is expected to be in contention to return against Luton in midweek.
The midfield switch means Enzo Le Fee continues on the left and Patrick Roberts the right. Samed's inclusion is likely to mean Dan Neil pushes on into more of an advanced midfield role.
The defence is unchanged. Ben Middlemas comes into the squad on the bench.
The Black Cats are looking to extend their unbeaten stretch to seven Championship games, while the visiting Hornets have lost their last three league games.
SUNDERLAND: Patterson, Hume, Mepham, O'Nien, Cirkin, Neil, Samed, Roberts, Rigg, Le Fee, Isidor
SUBS: Moore, Ballard, Mayenda, Middlemas, Aleksic, Hjelde, Poveda, Ogunsuyi, Jones
WATFORD: Selvik; Andrews, Pollock, Abankwah, Larouci; Louza, Dele-Bashiru; Chakvetadze, Kayembe, Sissoko; Doumbia.
SUBS: Bond, Ngakia, Sierralta, Keben, Ince, Morris, Adu-Poku, Ramirez-Espain, Nabizada
