Fans in the North East are getting ready for the Tyne-Wear derby, but one Sunderland player won’t be involved in the game next weekend.
It’s been more than nine years since the last meeting between Newcastle United and Sunderland. Anticipation is through the roof for this next game, as is the weight of expectation on both sets of players.
Who was your MOTM vs Burnley?!
Hard to pick one!
Sunderland’s impressive start to the season sees them sitting above Newcastle in the Premier League table right now, despite their defeat to Man City this weekend.
While Eddie Howe will be more concerned with the availability of his own players ahead of Sunderland, he may well have heard that one Black Cats ace won’t be eligible for the match.
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Luke O’Nien to miss Tyne-Wear derby
Sunderland were crushed 3-0 by Pep Guardiola’s side on Saturday afternoon. Losing to Man City is never something to be ashamed of, especially for a newly-promoted team.
However, Regis Le Bris will have been disappointed to see Sunderland stalwart Luke O’Nien given his marching orders in the game.
Just minutes after entering the fray as a substitute, O’Nien was shown a yellow card for a late challenge on Matheus Nunes. However, VAR intervention saw that elevated to a straight red, and the defender will now miss the next three matches.
However, before any Newcastle fans get too excited about this, it’s worth noting O’Nien has only played three minutes of top flight football this season. He’s not exactly a key player for the Black Cats anymore, and they’ll have plenty of options to cover for his absence.
Sunderland have plenty of ways to cause Newcastle problems
Indeed, the Newcastle United squad will be wary of the array of talent their rivals now have. Both Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki, influential players at the heart of the Sunderland midfield, were brought off against City and will be raring to go for the Newcastle game.
Sunderland also expect Reinildo to be available for the derby, stating that the Brazilian missed the City clash due to a “minor groin injury” but is “expected” to be fit for next weekend.
Is this what you want to hear from a Newcastle United captain? 👀 Why do they never learn?!
Bruno admits complacency inside the Newcastle camp 😧
“We thought the game was gone but in the Premier League the game is never gone until the last whistle.”
Bruno Guimaraes on Newcastle United conceding late goals, via Premier League Productions
As for O’Nien, Sunderland have the likes of Dan Ballard and Omar Alderete as their first-choice centre-halves. Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa will have to find a way past those two if Newcastle are to have any chance of success on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Sunderland’s AFCON players will be available for the game at the Stadium of Light. However, with Newcastle now unbeaten in four league games, the Magpies will more than fancy their chances of spoiling the Sunderland party.