SUNDERLAND’S bid to maintain their 100 per cent record in the Championship this season has suffered a major blow with Aji Alese ruled out of the trip to Portsmouth.

And the central defender, who has started the campaign in outstanding form, could be out for a  significant period with head coach Regis Le Bris bracing himself to be without Alese beyond the international break.

The former West Ham youngster has formed a formidable partnership with Luke O’Nien during the opening month of the campaign with the Black Cats having kept three successive clean sheets in the league.

And though Dan Ballard played 45 minutes for the Under 21s against Middlesbrough in midweek and is an obvious replacement, Alese’s absence is a setback.

“I’m not very confident for the short-term,” said the Frenchman.

“The tests are still ongoing and we will have more information later but it could be three or four weeks.

“It is an ankle injury but we do not yet know the extent of it.”

Sunderland’s improvement under Le Bris has been eyecatching and no-one has symbolised that upward curve more than Alise who suffered an injury-plagued season last term.

“He has made big steps and improved a lot,” added the Black Cats’ chief.

“I was very happy with his second half against Burnley when he was very important for the team.

“He has an understanding of his role so I am not happy with this situation.”

Ballard came off the bench in the closing minutes last Saturday and honed his match fitness in the Under 21 win over Boro.

And while Alese’s loss will be sorely felt at Fratton Park, Le Bris acknowledges that Ballard’s physical presence will offer Sunderland something they have arguably lacked so far under the new regime.

“Dan is fit to start,” he said.

“What he provides is very specific and we don’t have many like him in the squad.

“He is strong and a big boy and in this league especially, when there is a lot of direct play, his sort are very important.”

Le Bris meanwhile admits that Pierre Ekwah could be a high profile deadline day departure.

The midfielder, who has fallen down the pecking order lately, is expected to join Ligue 1 side Saint-Etienne in a £6m deal.

“There is a possibility he could leave but a lot is happening at the moment,” added Le Bris, whose midfield looks set to be bolstered by the arrival of Salis Abdul Samed and Milan Aleksic.