Sunderland v Tottenham LIVE: Team news as Spurs’ Premier League survival bid under Roberto De Zerbi begins – UK Times

Some great reporting from our Chief Football Writer Miguel Delaney, who says things are looking up for Spurs since Roberto De Zerbi took over.

“After months of utter misery at Tottenham Hotspur, there is genuinely a changed mood around the training ground. The players, according to numerous sources, “love” Roberto De Zerbi,” writes Delaney.

“They feel engaged, like they’re actually progressing. It is more than just the energy that comes from a new manager – since Igor Tudor certainly didn’t inspire this response – or even the clarity that comes from actually having a permanent coach again.

“De Zerbi offers an idea, and enthusiasm. This is precisely why some around the club are said to be conspicuously confident of staying up – even if we won’t see whether that is actually justified until we watch his new team in a few games. The situation remains complicated, and highly pressurised. Others at Spurs, of course, remain anxious.”

Read the full piece here:

Robin Roefs should bolster Regis Le Bris’s squad as Sunderland return to Premier League action. Nordi Mukiele, Reinildo and Enzo Le Fee, who were all on the bench in the previous fixture, are fit enough to start.

But Nilson Angulo, Bertrand Traore, Romaine Mundle, Jocelin Ta Bi and Simon Moore remain out, while Dan Ballard is unlikely to be risked.

Possible Sunderland XI: Roefs; Geertruida, Mukiele, Alderete, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Talbi, Diarra, Le Fee; Brobbey

Guglielmo Vicario underwent hernia surgery during the international break and appears set to miss out, with Antonin Kinsky due to deputise in goal.

Mohammed Kudus has suffered a setback in his recovery after returning to training and remains absent.

Rodrigo Bentancur (hamstring) is not quite ready to return, while James Maddison (knee), Yves Bissouma (muscle), Wilson Odobert (knee), Ben Davies (ankle) and Dejan Kulusevski (knee) are also on the injury list.

Possible Tottenham XI: Kinsky; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Gray, Bergvall; Kolo Muani, Simons, Tel; Solanke

Sunderland vs Tottenham is due to kick off at 2pm BST on Sunday 12 April at the Stadium of Light.

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage on the channel from 1pm BST. A live stream will be available via Sky Go or NOW.

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of Sunderland v Tottenham.

It’s a frankly huge day for Spurs. They’re now in the bottom three after West Ham’s win on Friday night and new boss Roberto De Zerbi needs to spark an immediate improvement.

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