Sunderland and Middlesbrough team news with nine ruled out and four doubts for league fixture.

The latest Sunderland and Middlesbrough team and injury news ahead of their Championship fixture at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland is getting ready for their Championship match against Middlesbrough despite having several injured players.

After defeating Watford 2-0 on Wednesday, the Black Cats have won five of their previous six games and are fourth in the standings.

After a difficult start to the season, Boro are also in good shape after three straight league victories.

The most recent injury and team news for both teams is as follows:

1. Alex Pritchard (Sunderland) – DOUBT

Pritchard missed Sunderland’s 2-0 win over Watford due to a calf strain. Mowbray said after that match the playmaker is unlikely to feature against Middlesbrough

2. Darragh Lenihan (Middlesbrough) – DOUBT

After starting Middlesbrough’s first eight league games this season, Lenihan missed the side’s 3-2 win at Watford due to an illness and was only deemed fit enough to start on the bench against Cardiff.

3. Bradley Dack (Sunderland) – OUT

Dack has also been sidelined in recent weeks with a hamstring issue. Mowbray has been wary of rushing the player back too soon, with the 29-year-old also set to return after the international break.

4. Rav van den Berg (Middlesbrough) – DOUBT

Following four successive starts for Boro, the teenage defender missed the win over Cardiff with a hamstring issue. The injury isn’t thought to be serious and Carrick has said van den Berg could return to the squad against Sunderland.

5. Pierre Ekwah (Sunderland) – OUT

Ekwah has missed Sunderland’s last four matches with a dead leg which has remained swollen. The midfielder isn’t set to return until after the international break.

6. Jonny Howson (Middlesbrough) – DOUBT

Middlesbrough’s captain was also struck down with an illness and missed the win over Cardiff on Tuesday.

7. Aji Alese (Sunderland) – OUT

Alese has stepped up his recovery following a long-term thigh injury but isn’t expected to be available until after this month’s international break.

8. Lewis O’Brien (Middlesbrough) – OUT

It’s been confirmed the Nottingham Forest loanee is set to be sidelined for two to three months after suffering leg and ankle injuries.

9. Eliezer Mayenda (Sunderland) – OUT

Mayenda has also been running on the training pitches at the Academy of Light with the rest of Sunderland’s squad. Still, the striker isn’t expected to return before this month’s i

10. Timothee Pembele (Sunderland) – OUT

International break following a hamstring issue.

The French right-back hasn’t played a competitive match since March after recovering from a cruciate ligament injury. Sunderland have said the 21-year-old is undergoing a personal maintenance programme alongside the club’s performance team. Photo: ANNE-CHRISTINE