Leeds United’s promotion rivals Sunderland suffer double blow as key duo ruled out until the new year

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Leeds United enter the busy Christmas period with the aim of sitting top of the Championship table come the end of the year, and one of their promotion rivals have just suffered a double blow.

Leeds currently sit in third place in the Championship table. Daniel Farke’s men are a point better off than they were last term at this stage, but more importantly, Leeds are only two points off the league leaders.

Last season, Leeds were a huge 11 points behind leaders Leicester. The Championship season is looking much closer in terms of the promotion race this time around and Leeds are excellently positioned.

Sunderland sit top of the Championship table on 31 points, with Sheffield United in second on the same points. But ahead of the return to Championship action, Sunderland have suffered a double injury blow.

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Sunderland confirm two injuries to key stars in promotion battle

This season, Romaine Mundle has been a revelation for Sunderland. Coming in as a replacement for Jack Clarke, having a hand in six goals in 15 games. Ireland international Alan Browne joined in the summer.

Brown has surpassed 350 Championship appearances at Sunderland this season, starting the last three games for Regis Le Bris and four of the last five. Mundle has started 13 of Sunderland’s 15 games.

But Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris had some bad news for Sunderland fans on Thursday afternoon, ahead of their clash against Millwall on Saturday. He confirmed Browne and Mundle are out until the new year.

Sunderland’s X account quoted Le Bris as saying: “Both Alan Browne and Romaine Mundle will be out for six to eight weeks.”

Three Sunderland players also missing through suspension

Leeds can testify how difficult a trip to Millwall is, with Neil Harris’ side proving to be a physical, resolute outfit that have a real chance of pushing for the Championship play-offs after beating Leeds 1-0.

Sunderland will not only be without Browne and Mundle, but three key players are suspended too. Jobe Bellingham is serving a three-match ban after a straight red, while Patrick Roberts and Trai Hume are out.

The duo have accumulated five yellow cards this season. It leaves Le Bris’ side without five of their key players to go to Millwall on Saturday and hands Leeds a real chance of closing the gap on Sunderland.