Sunderland are preparing for their Championship match against Norwich City at Carrow Road - but who will start for Mike Dodds’ side?
Black Cats top scorer Jack Clarke has been ruled out for up to six weeks after sustaining an ankle ligament injury, while centre-back Dan Ballard remains suspended after receiving 10 yellow cards. Three consecutive defeats have seen Sunderland drop eight points away from the play-off places, with Norwich five points ahead of them.
Here’s our predicted Sunderland team to face the Canaries this weekend:
Here’s our predicted Sunderland team to face the Canaries this weekend:
![Hjelde struggled playing on the left of a back three in the first half against Swansea but looked more comfortable when the side changed their shape.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjAyNTg3NTU5LTMzMmYtNDFlNi1iNzVkLTQwN2E0NmI1NWU5ZjplZWM3YzllNC0zYzkyLTQxNjYtYjY4ZC01ZWU3YmNlMmU5YjA=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
5. LB: Leo Hjelde
Hjelde struggled playing on the left of a back three in the first half against Swansea but looked more comfortable when the side changed their shape. Photo: FRANK REID
![While the midfielder has been a key player for Sunderland this season, Neil struggled to get to grips with the game in the first half against Swansea. The Black Cats will need to find a better balance in the engine room in their upcoming matches.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmViZDkyZDllLTYwNzYtNGE5NS1hNjUxLWM2NjcwM2JiNjJhMDo3M2ExMjY5OC05N2U3LTRlZDYtOTY3Ny00M2NhMzk2NGYwZDU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
6. CM: Dan Neil
While the midfielder has been a key player for Sunderland this season, Neil struggled to get to grips with the game in the first half against Swansea. The Black Cats will need to find a better balance in the engine room in their upcoming matches. Photo: Frank Reid
![Ekwah also looked off the pace in the first half against Swansea but did improve after the interval, delivering the cross for Luke O’Nien’s goal. The Frenchman could have more competition in midfield now Callum Styles is available.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmU3MzkwNDI0LWRkZDctNDZjZi04ODUwLWFkMzU0NjhlODNiZDo3YWEwNWVlNy05MmMxLTQ5NGEtOTY4MC0zYTY5OTU3OGQxY2I=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
7. CM: Pierre Ekwah
Ekwah also looked off the pace in the first half against Swansea but did improve after the interval, delivering the cross for Luke O’Nien’s goal. The Frenchman could have more competition in midfield now Callum Styles is available. Photo: Frank Reid
![Ba was asked to switch positions in and out of possession against Swansea but ended up looking lost. He has looked most effective playing on the right this season.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjU1MjJmODAyLWMyN2UtNGExNC1iOTRiLTU4YmUzMzRhYjliMjo0ZmMyYWEwYS05MWVmLTRkNjUtYTliNy1kMDgyMjRkNDFmZjM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
8. RW: Abdoullah Ba
Ba was asked to switch positions in and out of possession against Swansea but ended up looking lost. He has looked most effective playing on the right this season. Photo: Frank Reid