Sunderland have made a steady start to the season, but after the heights of 2025/26, there's no question that Regis Le Bris and his side are in for a very different test this time around.

The bonus of Europa League football is a wonderful marker of how far the Wearside outfit have come in such a short time, but it does stretch a squad who were unable to make sweeping changes this summer.

This team need every player to perform if they are going to make it another emphatic campaign. What they don't need is star striker Brian Brobbey to pick up a muscular injury while on international duty with the Netherlands.

The latest on Brobbey fitness

Thankfully, it doesn't look like Brobbey is set for an extended spell on the sidelines after injuring himself against Germany with the Dutch.

The 24-year-old will miss the weekend clash against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League. However, Le Bris has confirmed that the issue is only a short-term problem.

Sunderland have just lost back-to-back Premier League games, albeit against Manchester City and Arsenal, albeit having played very well both times, aggrieved not to have earned a point, more.

During the recent 5-3 defeat at the Etihad, Brobbey was incredible, putting on an absolute clinic, a masterclass in link-up play and strength and power and positioning as a striker against a world-class Premier League defence.

His hat-trick was impressive, but the overall performance was more impressive still, and it's going to be difficult to replace him.

But Le Bris needs to replace him all the same.

Sunderland star must be handed first start of 26/27

Over the past several weeks, numerous possible solutions to Sunderland's Brobbey injury blow have been bandied about.

However, perhaps the way to go is the obvious one: Wilson Isidor is ready to step up and make his first Premier League start of the season.

The Haiti international has made five appearances in the Premier League this year, but each time from the bench. Last term, he left a lot to be desired, a weak link as Le Bris' squad went from strength to strength.

He only completed 25% of his dribbles and won 29% of his ground duels in the division, so there's no question that that will need to improve if he is going to provide the kind of challenge for number nine that might actually threaten Brobbey in his starting berth.

However, he's off the mark for the season, having netted the winner as Sunderland defeated Fulham on their first league clash at the Stadium of Light this season. That being said, that was only his third goal for the club in the whole of 2026.

Isidor, 26, joined Sunderland from Zenit St. Petersburg in Russia for about £5m. He played an instrumental role in securing promotion from the Championship, but found the Premier League to be a different ballpark, only starting 11 times all year.

That said, he scored six goal, and he only missed two big chances besides. Hailed as a "one-man machine" by Sky Sports journalist Dougie Critchley, he is powerful and well-oiled within Le Bris' system.

Think of Isidor as Brobbey lite. He knows how to get stuck into a battle with tough defenders, and that should make him perfect to challenge Brighton's beefy backline.

Isidor is still a part of this Sunderland journey, and he indeed has a part to play. The Black Cats only have one Premier League win this season, delivered by Isidor's crisp strike.

His strength and movement parallels that of Brobbey. He might not be on the same level, but this forward can do a job against the Seagulls at the weekend.