Alderete out as Cats eye toughest test yet

EGIS Le Bris has confirmed Sunderland will be without Omar Alderete for the clash with Arsenal today due to a setback in his recovery from a concussion.

- MATTY HEWITT AND REBECCA JOHNSON

The Paraguayan centre-back picked up the injury during the win over Wolves, though the exact incident in which the injury occurred is unclear after the 28-year-old finished the game.

As a result, Alderete missed the Black Cats' win over Chelsea and the draw with Everton on Monday night.

Le Bris had been hopeful of a return in time for the Toffees, but Alderete was absent from the match-day squad and won't return for the game this weekend. Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Le Bris said: “Yeah, he had to step back because of residual symptoms. It’s not really serious, but the concussion protocol is really strict.