The left-field Sunderland options Lee Johnson will have to consider as he battles defender shortage for Papa John's Trophy Lincoln City semi-final tie

Lee Johnson is determined to lead Sunderland to a Wembley final on Wednesday evening but to do so he will have to manage the absence of five centre-backs.
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With Bailey Wright his only available option, the head coach is weighing up how to get the balance of his side right.

Johnson has joked, tongue firmly in cheek, that he has taken to calling Charlie Wyke ‘JT’, while also noting that it could give him the chance to fulfil a dream of naming 11 central midfielders.

These are the options he has at his disposal...

Conor McLaughlin may have to move into central defence for Sunderland on Wednesday eveningConor McLaughlin may have to move into central defence for Sunderland on Wednesday evening
Conor McLaughlin may have to move into central defence for Sunderland on Wednesday evening

CONOR McLAUGHLIN

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McLaughlin may be a full back by nature but he has on numerous occasions played on the right of a back three, and for much of this campaign has been a solid and consistent defender.

Moving him across would allow Bailey Wright to stay in his regular position and would keep disruption across the pitch to a minimum.

Max Power would likely have to drop back into the right back position, but Grant Leadbitter can assume his role at the base of midfield from the weekend.

It will leave Sunderland’s defence short on pace against a side who are lively on the break, but that looks like a risk Johnson may have to take.

LUKE O'NIEN

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Johnson last week named O'Nien as a possible option to help replace Jordan Willis over the next few months as a hectic fixture schedule bites.

It was in the Papa John's Trophy that O'Nien first stepped in as a centre-half to help Parkinson with a similar selection problem, and performed so well that the role was reprised in the league.

That makes him a definite option for Wednesday, though not without a few reservations.

For one, it was against a very good Portsmouth side that O'Nien last played in the role, Parkinson returning to more familiar options after the Black Cats were overwhelmed in a 3-1 defeat.

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Secondly, O'Nien has never played the role in a back four and finally, his energy in midfield was such a key part of Sunderland's impressive win at Doncaster that you expect Johnson would be loath to again change the balance of his side.

THE U23 OPTIONS

Brandon Taylor made a good impression on Phil Parkinson last year but has fallen down the pecking order under both managers so far this season.

He remains an option for Johnson on Wednesday, but was sent off just before half time in U23 action against Middlesbrough on Monday.

He was replaced at the break by Patrick Almond, who then produced an assist for Josh Hawkes to continue what has been a mightily impressive campaign so far from the 17-year-old.

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Summer recruitment has helped the U23s lift their results from last season but Almond’s ease in stepping up the age groups has also been a factor.

Both he and Sam Wilding, signed from West Brom in the summer, were part of a very youthful bench in the final group game of this competition at Fleetwood and so could be contenders for a place in the matchday squad here.

Johnson seems likely to favour experience for a game of genuine importance but he will need defensive cover on the bench and with Jake Vokins cup tied, that will almost certainly have to come from within the academy.

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