Brian Brobbey should be ready for Leeds, but the bigger story around Sunderland is the mood inside the camp. Nordi Mukiele said the squad had perhaps become arrogant after last term's success, and that lands against a start that has left Sunderland 20th with four points after seven Premier League matches.

Sunderland's start and Mukiele's warning

Mukiele's remark does not prove the cause of the slump, but it does explain why the warning matters. Sunderland have won one of their last five matches across all competitions, and Kevin Danso is now suspended after his red card against Bournemouth. That leaves Le Bris short on both confidence and cover before a meeting that already feels important.

Brobbey's possible return is the one upbeat note. Le Bris said he "Should be ready for Leeds", which at least gives Sunderland another forward option, and Brobbey has already made seven league appearances this season. Sunderland need that sort of availability because the team has been too easy to rattle, and the league table shows it plainly.

Leeds still bring problems of their own

Leeds are eighth with 10 points from seven Premier League matches, so they come in with a firmer platform than Sunderland. Even so, they have won just once on the road in the league this season, which keeps the trip to the Stadium of Light from looking like a routine away day.

The injury list also gives Daniel Farke reasons to keep one eye on his bench. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has three goals in seven Premier League appearances, while Anton Stach, Noah Okafor and Daniel James all carry fitness doubts or limited availability concerns. Leeds have enough to compete, but they do not arrive without issues, and the away record still invites pressure if Sunderland start with more edge than they have shown in recent weeks.

Sunderland vs Leeds kicks off at 4.30pm GMT on Sunday, October 25 at the Stadium of Light, with Brobbey's fitness and Sunderland's response to Mukiele's warning the two things to watch most closely.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →