Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris has provided a positive update regarding the availability of defender Chris Mepham ahead of the club’s upcoming Championship clash with Derby County on Tuesday evening. Mepham, who has been a standout performer since joining the Black Cats on transfer deadline day in the summer, had been a doubt for the fixture after pulling up during Sunderland’s recent match against Burnley. The centre-back was substituted during that match, with Dan Ballard coming on to replace him. Initially, there were concerns that Mepham might not be available for the trip to face Derby County, but Le Bris has eased those fears with his latest comments.
During his pre-match press conference, Le Bris confirmed that Mepham is fit and available for selection, stating, “He is good, he’s available, he trained this morning with no problem. Probably just cramp.” This update comes as a relief for Sunderland, as Mepham’s presence in the team has been crucial to their defensive solidity this season. His physicality, leadership, and ability to handle aerial threats make him an ideal choice to deal with Derby County’s strengths, particularly in set-piece situations where height and strength can be key. Given Sunderland’s current position in the table, securing a win against a struggling Derby County side is vital for their pursuit of promotion to the Premier League, and having Mepham available strengthens their defensive options.
While Le Bris will be pleased to have Mepham back in contention, the situation is not without some depth in options at the centre-back position. With the absence of Aji Alese from the squad, there is still a degree of flexibility for Le Bris to consider other defensive combinations. Ballard, who replaced Mepham against Burnley, has been an important part of the squad and is more than capable of stepping into the starting XI. Even if Mepham is fit, Le Bris may still opt to rotate his defensive line, especially given that Derby County has been struggling for form, and this could be an opportunity for Ballard to get more game time.
The depth at centre-back has been one of Sunderland’s strengths this season, and the club’s recruitment team deserves credit for providing Le Bris with strong options in that area. Mepham and Ballard have both shown their quality, and with the added versatility of the other defenders in the squad, Le Bris is in a good position to handle different tactical challenges. This depth will be particularly important as the season progresses, and managing player fitness, especially during a congested schedule, will be key to maintaining a push for promotion.
Le Bris has clearly been impressed with the options at his disposal, and his praise for the recruitment team underscores the importance of having multiple reliable players in key positions. Despite the pressure of dealing with absences in other areas of the squad, including attackers Romaine Mundle and Tommy Watson, as well as Alese in defense, the availability of Mepham is a significant boost ahead of Sunderland’s clash with Derby County. The Black Cats are currently in a competitive hunt for promotion, and taking advantage of matches against lower-opposition teams like Derby County could be vital in securing the points needed to remain in contention for the top spots in the Championship.
With Mepham back in the fold, Sunderland will be confident heading into the match, knowing they have a player who has quickly become integral to their defense. The clash against Derby County offers a chance for Le Bris and his side to put pressure on their rivals in the promotion race, and with key players like Mepham available, Sunderland will be determined to bounce back and get back to winning ways.