RLB PRE IPSWICH

Regis Le Bris is looking forward to Sunderland's opening game of the 2026/27 Premier League season against newly-promoted Ipswich Town, who RLB admitted are an unknown quantity. The boss also confirmed that the defensive trio of Thomas Meunier, Nordi Mukiele and Omar Alderete are all available for Portman Road.

INJURY UPDATE

“Yes, all of our players are available, except Simon (Adingra) We'll see for the game time against Ipswich because they are not all at the same stage fitness level wise, but they are available.

ADINGRA INJURY

"It's a more or less six-week injury. So we know this injury. It's a relatively common ankle injury, but we know from the beginning that the diagnosis told us it's around six weeks. So we are in the middle of those six weeks.”

WHAT TO EXPECT ON SATURDAY

"We try to anticipate the best version of Ipswich and if it’s under these standards, it will be positive. It’s about us. We expect high intensity, press high, they have different threats. We don’t expect anything less.”

GOOD START

“It is important to start well because you build the momentum, but you still have an opponent, and you can lose - that is possible. The only thing we have under control is us and after that, you will see the results."

RELEGATION FAVOURITES

“If we follow the pundits and the odds, it's hard to be positive. It's about being Sunderland and not the odds. We will stay true to ourselves. I am excited. We are going into one of the most exciting seasons in 52 years. It will be challenging but a big boost for the club and the lads last season earned it.”