Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini says the return of Brian Brobbey can give Regis le Bris the "focal point" he needs to build his attack.
The 24-year-old striker, who has scored three goals so far this season, played 65 minutes in Sunday's goalless draw against Leeds after missing three games with a hamstring injury picked up on international duty with the Netherlands.
"We're short up front and he's been a good player over the last six months," Gabbiadini told BBC Radio Newcastle.
"At the end of last season and into this season he's started very well. [Wilson] Isidor is the back-up and not many supporters have too many complaints about his quality. [Timur] Tutierov is a young player coming through and it's a big job to do when you've not got any experience really at this level.
"To have Brian there, he certainly ruffles feathers and you can see defenders straight away are wary of his presence and try everything they can to stop it.
"He had a few opportunities, he still looked a little bit off the pace but that's understandable. You do need a focal point in your attacks.
"I'm pleased he's back and hope there is no further occurrence of his injury from that performance. He sensibly wasn't left on for the full 90. It's good to see him back."
Sunderland 0-0 Leeds - the fans' verdictpublished at 11:51 GMT 26 October
11:51 GMT 26 October
Media caption,
We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Sunderland and Leeds.
Here are some of your comments:
Sunderland fans
Denise: The windy conditions was never going to allow this to be a classic game of football. We kept focused, dealt better with the conditions but yet again it was a missed opportunity of maximum points.
Jura: Never has our eighth league game of the season been so significant. Losing this game would have been disastrous. We very much needed a win but a draw considering the conditions wasn't the end of the world.
Stephen: Brobbey is still a little rusty but he still demonstrated why we've missed him. I was pleased with our performance despite only a draw. I'm more confident than I was last week that we'll get through this dark period.
Leeds fans
Robert: Weather was the winner. Could have been a good game, but being honest, it was not. Another point gained towards safety.
Wayne: Fair result when you take the weather conditions into account but Leeds were a bit unlucky at the end.
Eric: We were not the only team to play in less than favourable weather conditions so let's forget the excuses. Week in, week out we have the same problems, poor distribution, poor passing, a yard slower than the opposition and second best to the 50-50 balls. Against Sunderland we were just not physical enough.
Ian: With the Windy conditions, you would have expected a confident team to pass along the floor rather than hooking it into the air. Still, on a positive note another clean sheet. We may be difficult to beat but we could do with a win. Bournemouth next week, but they will be confident after thrashing Manchester United.
'Belief will never leave this team' - O'Nienpublished at 09:34 GMT 26 October
09:34 GMT 26 October
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Sunderland defender Luke O'Nien says "belief is never going to leave" as they played out a goalless draw against Leeds to sit at the foot of the Premier League table.
Speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle, O'Nien said: "Belief is never going to leave this team. I think the table reflects fairly where you should be - which is really humbling - but the best of it is we're not going to be there for long if we do the things we did today. It's in our hands to get back to what we did last year.
Sunderland 0-0 Leeds: What Le Bris and O'Nien saidpublished at 19:01 GMT 25 October
19:01 GMT 25 October
Regis Le Bris spoke to Sky Sports after Sunderland's draw against Leeds: "It's a positive [point], the more positive [thing] is the way we played with intensity, togetherness - we were Sunderland today.
"It's still a long journey, we know with this busy schedule playing in Europe, playing in the Carabao Cup, it's a new challenge for us and we need to embrace it. I think we showed this afternoon that we are in this challenge, we want to embrace it and be ourselves and we probably deserved a bit more today."
On their attacking threat: "Good chances but we still need to be clinical. We had this conversation at half time about this consistency and this belief we need to have because sometimes it's just a click and you score but today wasn't the case."
On seeing belief in his side: "Absolutely. We saw Sunderland on the pitch today so I am confident with the team spirit and confident with the way we are working hard together to get better and consistency is still key. We have another game on Wednesday then Coventry and the objective is to get better."
On Nordi Mukiele who went off injured: "He's OK - no problem."
Luke O'Nien also spoke to Sky Sports: "I think the wind played a big part and credit to both defences and the attacks as well to be able to keep it to no goals in that swirling wind.
"I think it was a good effort from everybody so obviously we want three points from where we are in the table but keep putting up the performances like that and we'll get some."
On being bottom of the Premier League table: "I think always the table reflects fairly where teams deserve to be, and I think over the course of the course of the season if we keep putting in performances like that it will represent where we should be.
"But the table always reflects where people should be but we need to keep looking at ourselves, don't look at other anyone else, it's no-one else's fault but us and we know that."
On playing in Europe: "I think the extra games help - you build momentum, more players come in, it builds rhythm. We've got a game Wednesday, then Saturday, Thursday - as kids growing up all you wanted to do was play football every day.
"It suits us all nicely and we're going to need everybody in the squad and whatever competition it is we're out there to win games."
Sunderland have nine points fewer than they did at the same stage of last season's Premier League (5 in 2026-27, 14 in 2025-26), the biggest drop-off after eight games of any team.
No team have scored fewer goals than Sunderland (6) in the Premier League this season. Only twice previously have the Black Cats netted fewer after eight games of a Premier League campaign: 3 in 2002-03 and 5 in 2013-14.
Analysis: Brobbey back but Black Cats draw another blankpublished at 18:41 GMT 25 October
18:41 GMT 25 October
Phil Cartwright BBC Sport journalist
Image source, PA Media
Brian Brobbey had netted a hat-trick in his previous Premier League outing, a 5-3 loss at Manchester City on 20 September.
However, Sunderland had failed to score in their two league matches while he was out with the hamstring injury he sustained while on international duty, and drew another blank against Leeds.
James Trafford dived low to his right to keep out Brobbey's deflected shot early on and then was alert to smother the ball at Brobbey's feet after the Dutch striker had put pressure on the visitors' backline.
While providing a focal point for Sunderland's attack, he got little change out of Leeds' three centre-backs and had touched the ball only 16 times before he was replaced in the 65th minute by Ukrainian Timur Tutierov.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Liverpool v Brighton" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Sunderland match", for example.
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Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.
Sutton's predictions: Sunderland v Leeds Unitedpublished at 11:15 GMT 25 October
11:15 GMT 25 October
Sunderland have killed me this season because I just don't seem to be able to predict them at all.
The Black Cats are bottom of the table after losing four league games in a row and their boss Regis le Bris has a few problems to solve.
One of them is having European football that stretches their squad - they were away in Poland on Thursday - but at least they will have striker Brian Brobbey back from injury at the weekend.
After last weekend's loss at Bournemouth, Sunderland defender Nordi Mukiele suggested the Black Cats may have become "arrogant", but I don't see that outburst being as damaging as the ones by Manchester United players recently.
Still, things like that are better kept inside the dressing room because some of Mukiele's team-mates will be asking him if he was calling them arrogant.
I was never arrogant as a player, by the way, but people used to call me far worse than that in my day.
Maybe we will see a reaction from Sunderland here, but I still don't see them winning this because Leeds are battle-hardened and are a good team too.
They weren't at their best against Manchester United but still picked up a point, and they won't be leaving the Stadium of Light empty-handed.
Sunderland v Leeds United: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 13:37 BST 24 October
13:37 BST 24 October
Paul Birch BBC Sport journalist
Struggling Sunderland face a tricky test against a Leeds United side that have made themselves very hard to beat. BBC Sport takes a look at some of the key themes going into Sunday's game at the Stadium of Light.
Bottom-of-the-table Sunderland only need to look at Leeds for an example of how to turn around a poor start to a Premier League season. Daniel Farke's position became precarious after the Whites accrued only 11 points from their opening 13 matches of 2025-26.
A now famous tactical tweak in defeat by Manchester City proved to be the catalyst that has since turned them into one of the top flight's hardest teams to beat, with only six losses in 32 matches since.
The Black Cats have dropped to the foot of the table after earning just four points from seven games, their lowest tally at this stage of a league season since 2016-17, when they had two and went on to finish bottom.
Having had the misfortune to face Arsenal, Manchester City and Brighton, hopes were high a fixture against winless Bournemouth would be the perfect tonic. But a calamitous afternoon ended in a flattering 2-0 defeat and meant that they had been beaten in four successive league matches by a two-goal margin. The last time they lost five league games in a row by two or more goals was 96 years ago.
The Cherries recorded their highest xG in a Premier League match of 4.32, mustering 29 shots against an error-ridden backline that never looked comfortable and had Kevin Danso sent off after just 17 minutes.
"It's always a different player every time [making mistakes], so it is hard to fix," said boss Regis le Bris afterwards.
Last season, they had the fourth-best defence in the top flight and conceded just 1.26 goals per game, but that has rocketed to 2.0 per match, with only Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town letting in more.
Leeds looking to turn draws into victories
A draw with Manchester United is not normally to be sniffed at, but such is Leeds' confidence and form they were left frustrated they didn't secure all three points against their bitter rivals.
While being hard to beat is obviously a huge positive, turning one point into three is something that will be top of Farke's to-do list. His team have drawn 13 of their 27 league fixtures in 2026, the most of any top-flight side.
One man they have certainly been able to rely on is in-form striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin. His equaliser against Manchester United was his 17th top-flight strike since 29 November last year, a tally only Manchester City's Erling Haaland can beat. However, Farke said on Friday Calvert-Lewin is a doubt for Sunday with a bruised foot.
Leeds have another chance to shed their Super Sunday curse - in eight attempts, they have never won a Premier League game in the prime 16:.30 slot.
In another quirk, their draw with Manchester United extended their winless run in games that have kicked off before 15:00 to 21, the longest such streak in the Premier League.
Good job, then, that the Whites have come alive at night, with an incredible 49% of their points over the past two seasons earned from games at 20:00 or later.
Leeds 'biggest game of the season' yet for Black Catspublished at 11:07 BST 24 October
11:07 BST 24 October
Image source, Getty Images
BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes says Sunday's game against Leeds United is the Black Cats' "biggest game of the season" yet because it is so vital they end their poor run in the Premier League.
"It's a a huge game, massive game," said Barnes. "We all know what's at stake in this game.
"Sunderland really do need to get something from the game on a number of levels so this now is the biggest game of the season."
Le Bris wants to 'enjoy the challenge to get better'published at 16:26 BST 23 October
16:26 BST 23 October
Image source, Getty Images
Sunderland boss Regis le Bris says they have "to enjoy the challenge of getting better" following a disappointing start to the 2026-27 Premier League campaign.
The Black Cats sit bottom of the league with four points having lost their past three games.
"It's almost a new feeling because everything has been so positive for such a long time," said Le Bris before Sunday's game against Leeds United. "It's hard to take, but I think the most important [thing] is to enjoy the challenge to get better."
Le Bris' men also have European football to contend with while focusing on turning results around in the league.
He said they knew "that the schedule was relentless" before going into this run of games so hopes the team will benefit from playing in quick succession in the long term.
On Sunday's opponents, he added: "They are doing really well and they are consistent as well. They are in a different position, but anything is possible in football."
Is there a lack of confidence in front of goal?published at 11:57 BST 23 October
11:57 BST 23 October
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Former Sunderland defender Gary Bennett says Thursday's 1-1 draw at Lech Poznan "is disappointing" for the Black Cats, but a reflection of their lack of confidence in front of goal.
Regis le Bris' side registered eight shots on target in the first-half, with Malick Fofana striking the woodwork, as they failed to extend their advantage.
"How many times were we in front of a goal and we didn't even work the goalkeeper?", Bennett asked BBC Radio Newcastle's Nick Barnes.
"It's disappointing from Sunderland's point of view that we didn't win and get the three points, and maybe you put that down to confidence in front of goal."
Listen to Bennett and Barnes' post-match analysis by pressing the play button above, or here on BBC Sounds
And check out the view of fan Eleanor McCabe, who says she "cannot wait for Brian Brobbey back", below or on BBC Sounds here
Lech Poznan 1-1 Sunderland - fans' verdictpublished at 10:54 BST 23 October
10:54 BST 23 October
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on Thursday's draw against Lech Poznan in the Europa League.
Here are some of your comments:
Stephen: Thankfully we put aside our dismal performance on Sunday with a lot more focus and energy. But we'll only start winning games again when we start capitalising on our opportunities.
Phil: Didn't capitalise on a flying start. Wasted chances. We feel rather toothless without Brian Brobbey up front and generally laboured in going forward. Our defence has lost its grip and, is it just me, or is Granit Xhaka looking rather disinterested currently? I'm hopeful that a couple of wins will get us back to our best and up the league table. Haway The Lads!
Keith: Apart from the obvious lack of firepower, this was a very encouraging performance. Passing was crisp and there were some accurate crosses in a good, open game. Nilson Angulo worked hard but Nordi Mukiele and the ageing warhorse Luke O'Nien took the eye in defence and midfield. Keep up the hard work, lads!
John: Very frustrating season continues. Eleven shots on target, about half of them scuffed or too close to the keeper. They are showing a distinct lack of quality. Long season ahead.
Chris: An improvement on previous performances, but the amount of chances we squandered was proof we need another forward in the squad.
John: Following the last Premier League game, this was a massive improvement. Luke O'Nien was outstanding, and there were some excellent performances throughout the team. Jules Ahoka looks like a good buy. Pity we couldn't score again, but let's not be too downbeat about the result. Looking forward to Sunday.
Lech Poznan 1-1 Sunderland: What Le Bris saidpublished at 21:07 BST 22 October
21:07 BST 22 October
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Sunderland boss Regis le Bris speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle: "We expected this atmosphere, this style of play from our opponent.
"I think they are a good team and after the first goal, they showed that they had quality to build up under pressure, to go through our block when we were a bit opened. They created chances as well.
"After that, we created our chances. We deserved to score the second goal. We didn't and in a nice stadium like this against a good team, the momentum can shift and switch really quickly and it happened.
"So good experience. We started the game with seven players under 23 years old so they need to experience those situations against good teams to get better."
Did you know?
Sunderland are the first English side to score inside the opening two minutes of a Europa League game and fail to go on and win the match (seven out of seven before this game).
Positives for Le Bris despite Sunderland's wastefulnesspublished at 20:14 BST 22 October
20:14 BST 22 October
Keifer MacDonald BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Sunderland registered eight shots on target against Lech Poznan in the first half
There is rarely a bad away point in European football, but Sunderland will feel they should be returning to the Stadium of Light with all three points.
After a dominant first-half display, the Black Cats looked a different side from the one that has struggled for both form and confidence in the Premier League this season.
Nilson Angulo and Malick Fofana provided flashes of attacking brilliance from either flank, and at times Sunderland threatened to overwhelm their opponents. But their failure to turn that dominance into goals ultimately cost them their perfect start in Europe.
There were, of course, mitigating circumstances. Manager Regis le Bris was without first-choice strikers Brobbey and Isidor, as well as experienced defenders Thomas Meunier and Dan Ballard, leaving him short of options as his side's energy faded in the second half.
The draw does little to derail Sunderland's hopes of reaching the Europa League knockout stages, but the bigger test await in the Premier League.
Le Bris will hope the quality and intensity his side showed in spells in Poland carry over into domestic action, starting against Leeds United on Sunday.
Follow Thursday's European games livepublished at 16:55 BST 22 October
16:55 BST 22 October
There are 18 games in both the Europa League and the Conference League on Thursday - with Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Sunderland involved in the former, and Brighton the latter - and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.
'What we do on the pitch is going to do the talking' - Sadikipublished at 11:35 BST 22 October
11:35 BST 22 October
Image source, Getty Images
Sunderland midfielder Noah Sadiki says "the plan is to show our fans the mentality has changed a little bit" against Europa League opponents Lech Poznan on Thursday night (17:45 BST).
The Black Cats are currently rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table, having taken just one win and one draw from their first seven matches, but they are holding on to an unblemished record in Europe.
Sadiki, who scored a stoppage-time winner against Torreense in Sunderland's last Europa League fixture, believes his team-mates are "ready to respond from the bad performances" at Enea Stadion.
"It has been a little bit difficult for us after the loss against Bournemouth, if I'm honest, but we've all had a good talk," Sadiki told BBC Radio Newcastle. "We have put things on the table that we need to do better.
"We have had enough of the talking though, what we do on the pitch is going to do the talking now.
"Nobody here wants to lose a game, there's no question about that. It is now a case of whether we can bounce back from this, which I think we can.
"As players, the plan is to show our fans that the mentality has changed a little bit. We want to show that we are tired of losing as well, but we need to translate that into the game.
"My team-mates and I are really ready to respond to the bad performances we've had."
On balancing their brilliant Europa League start with their lacklustre Premier League performances, he said: "All of the games are important. When you're fighting on four fronts, like we are, you want to win everything.
"There isn't a question between Europa League, Premier League or FA Cup - every game is important because we are fighting to win everything."
Le Bris on team fitness, 'emotions' and Lech Poznanpublished at 18:58 BST 21 October
18:58 BST 21 October
Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Europa League game against Lech Poznan at Enea Stadion (kick-off 17:45 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
No sidelined players will recover in time for Thursday's European tie in Poland, but striker Brian Brobbey "should be ready" for Sunday's game against Leeds.
Le Bris implied there will be squad rotation like there was against Torreense last week as it's "important to balance the workload" with the Premier League.
On the squad reaction to losing to Bournemouth: "When we lose games, we are not happy. This team has emotions and cares. It is important to work together and be tough with each other, telling the truth when necessary."
He said "the next game is always the most important one" in response to whether the match against Leeds is their main focus given they have six points in Europe already.
On opponents Lech Poznan: "They are a good team, so we expect a good game. They have a clear style of play. We know the Premier League and the players more or less, so here is a new experience."
Image source, Getty Images
