Sunderland have recently been boosted by the return of key midfielder Chris Rigg, who had been missing since the Blackburn Rovers game on Boxing Day after injuring his ankle at Ewook Park.
Head coach Régis Le Bris has also welcomed Salis Abdul Samed back. The midfielder signed for the Black Cats last summer but has not been fit since. The duo join new signing Enzo Le Fèe in helping to bolster Sunderland’s squad.
Despite not being a league game, fringe players Abdoullah Ba and Jewison Bennette were not in the squad to face Stoke City in the FA Cup recently, nor was Joe Anderson. The trio appear firmly out of the head coach’s plans and will be allowed to leave in January should a decent offer arise.
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Sunderland have also been linked with a host of incoming deals alongside Le Fée as the Black Cats look to push for promotion during the second half of the season.
With that in mind and for a little bit of fun, we take a look at how Le Bris’ starting XI and subs bench if the recent transfer rumours turn out to be true:
13. Potential Substitute: Matthew Orr
ESPN have claimed that Sunderland and Newcastle United are rivalling each other for the signing of Linfield’s 17-year-old star Matthew Orr. Their report remarks that Orr is the best Northern Irish talent to emerge since Jonny Evans. Sunderland signed Trai Hume from Linfield while they were in League One. | Getty Images
14. Potential substitute: Blondy Nna Noukeu
The former Stoke City goalkeeper signed for Sunderland during last summer's transfer window. | Frank Reid | Frank Reid
15. Potential substitute: Eduard Spertsyan
Sunderland and Leeds United have been linked with a move for Eduard Spertsyan. He is an Armenian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Russian Premier League club Krasnodar. | AFP via Getty Images
16. Potential substitute: Daniel Ballard
The central defender has been good for Sunderland so far this season when fit but has seen his campaign disrupted by injuries. He signed a new deal at the Stadium of Light last summer. Photo: Ian Hodgson/PA Wire