It was an interesting summer for Sunderland with several players joining the club in the transfer window - and the rumour mill already in overdrive regarding potential incomings and outgoings during January.
With that in mind, we have put together a possible starting XI and squad for next year, including some of the possible signings, if the transfer gossip turns out to be true. Take a look here:
![The homegrown Sunderland goalkeeper is firmly Tony Mowbray's first-choice and has started every league game since midway through the club's final season in League One.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjU2MmI4ZjU3LTk1ZmItNDQyYS1iZTYxLWE0OWNmZjc3OWUzMDpiNzE1MmU0MC0yN2U3LTRlMDYtYTljZC1kMDQzZTJmNjYxYjc=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
1. GK: Anthony Patterson
The homegrown Sunderland goalkeeper is firmly Tony Mowbray's first-choice and has started every league game since midway through the club's final season in League One. Photo: Jess Hornby
![The Northern Ireland international defender, who can also play at right-back, has been one of Sunderland's stand-out performers this campaign.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjM5ODI2ZjJmLWJjZGEtNDk2My04Y2I4LTNiYzVjZDZmNTI4ZToyNjExNjNkNC00ZWU2LTQyNzgtYTFmNC05ZmVjZGJlMjNkYzQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
2. LB: Trai Hume
The Northern Ireland international defender, who can also play at right-back, has been one of Sunderland's stand-out performers this campaign. Photo: FRANK REID
![After an injury-hit first couple of seasons, Niall Huggins has cemented himself as a first-team regular.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjk2MGUyMTgwLWM2NTMtNGUxNy05ZTNhLWM3ZjRjOWZjOGM1ZDozNGI4ZWM0Mi05NWYwLTRjNjQtYTQ1ZC0zMTFhNGU4MmRiNDI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
3. RB: Niall Huggins
After an injury-hit first couple of seasons, Niall Huggins has cemented himself as a first-team regular. Photo: Frank Reid
![The former Arsenal defender is one of the first names on Tony Mowbray's teamsheet.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjZkZGMyYWU2LTVkZTktNDljNS1hZjkzLTViY2I2NTdkMDg0MDoyMjczM2Q5Ni04MTBjLTQ1YjUtYWZkYS1kYTJkMjlmODUzZWI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
4. CB: Dan Ballard
The former Arsenal defender is one of the first names on Tony Mowbray's teamsheet. Photo: Ian Horrocks