The Black Cats welcome a somewhat rejuvenated Ipswich Town side to the Stadium of Light with the Tractor Boys winning four of their last six games to climb up to ninth in the League One table.
Paul Cook invested heavily into his side in the summer with as many as 19 signings and having endured a difficult start to the campaign the Tractor Boys are now just four points outside the play-off places and only a further point behind Sunderland ahead of Saturday’s clash.
The Wearsiders, meanwhile, are in a poor run of form having slipped to fifth in the table following three straight defeats for Johnson’s side.
The Black Cats were heavily beaten in their two latest outings at Rotherham United and Sheffield Wednesday and fans are growing in concern about their promotion chances.
It means Johnson faces a dilemma this weekend as to whether he sticks with the same personnel who have both started the season well and then hit a slump in form, or whether he changes things up.
Given Sunderland’s lack of attacking impetus in recent weeks there will also be question marks around whether Johnson will shake things up tactically or not for the visit of Ipswich.
Here at the Sunderland Echo we look at a possible starting XI for next weekend with one key midfielder set to miss out and a loan striker joining the attack.
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5. Dennis Cirkin - Defence
Much like Doyle, Cirkin has found things challenging of late but with the absence of Niall Huggins and Denver Hume, Cirkin should be expected to continue in his role after the international break. Picture by FRANK REID Photo: COPYRIGHT (C) FRANK REID 20187
6. Corry Evans - Midfield
Evans has featured in nine of Sunderland's 15 League One games this season and given the slump in form of Luke O'Nien is tipped to make his 10th appearance in the Black Cats midfield. Picture by FRANK REID Photo: FRANK REID 2021
7. Dan Neil - Midfield
Fresh from his England call-up, Neil is expected to come back to the Stadium of Light and into the starting XI for the visit of Ipswich. The teenager has impressed this season and should be in a buoyant mood after a week with the young Three Lions. Picture by FRANK REID Photo: FRANK REID 2021
8. Elliot Embleton - Midfield
Things get slightly more open for debate in the attacking third for Sunderland with goals drying up of late. The Black Cats need to rediscover the kind of swagger they had against Cheltenham Town at the Stadium of Light and Embleton just gets the nod ahead of Alex Pritchard to try and unlock the Tractor Boys defence. Picture by FRANK REID Photo: FRANK REID 2021