It is fair to say that Sunderland’s team announcement on Sunday will be the most eagerly anticipated of the season so far. Not just because of the obvious magnitude of the game against Newcastle United, but because so many players are big injury doubts heading into the contest.
Sunderland have understandably kept their cards very close to their chest this week on the injury front, though Régis Le Bris will offer some level of update in his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon. It makes predicting the starting XI and the bench a tricky task, but here’s our early look at how it might play out...
13. Sub - Chris Rigg
Rigg will hope an excellent cameo off the bench at Everton last week will be enough to earn him more minutes in this game and perhaps even put him in contention to return to the XI off the right flank | AFP via Getty Images
14. Sub - Habib Diarra
Made a big impact from the bench against Everton which should serve as a very timely confidence boost for this game. | Ian MacNicol/Getty Images Photo: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
15. Sub - Wilson Isidor
Showed his quality with a terrific cameo against Everton and will almost certainly be used as an impact substitute again here. | Getty Images
16. Sub - Eliezer Mayenda
Will hope for a chance to impress from the bench with Brobbey firmly established as first choice striker for the time being. | Chris Fryatt