Sunderland face a tough week as they bid to ignite their season

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris has brushed off any talk fatigue could be an issue when his side host Leeds united on Sunday afternoon. The Black Cats are currently fighting on two fronts as they bid to make progress in the Europa League while addressing a difficult start to the Premier League season which sees them bottom after seven games with just one solitary victory so far in the league.

Sunderland travel to Lech Poznań in the Europa League on Thursday night before returning to host Leeds on Sunday afternoon as their demanding schedule continues. They do so while having concern over the fitness of some players.

Brian Brobbey trained with the Sunderland squad on Tuesday and is expected to feature again on Thursday after making a return from hamstring troubles as a substitute in the defeat to Bournemouth at the weekend. Wilson Isidor and Thomas Meunier remain on the sidelines for now, while Kevin Danso is suspended for the game against Daniel Farke's side after his sending off at the weekend, which meant his team had to play the majority of that game with 10 men.

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Despite that demand and the travelling his side face this week, Le Bris says tiredness and the demanding schedule are not an issue and cannot be held up as an excuse.

"I think we still have many young players, so they can repeat and play again, and this is the level we want to play, so fatigue for me is not an excuse," explained Le Bris.

"You just have to get used to repeat performances, three days, three days, three days; obviously we manage the squad to get fit for both fixtures."