After a fortnight away for the international break, Sunderland will return to action on November 23rd with a tricky visit to in-form Millwall.
The Black Cats drew three on the bounce heading into the break, squandering a two-goal lead against Coventry City in their most recent outing. By contrast, their upcoming hosts had won four on the bounce prior to a 1-1 draw with Stoke City last time out, and haven’t lost a game in the Championship since October 1st.
But despite their recent stumbles, Sunderland still sit top of the table heading into the next leg of the campaign, and will be looking to build on their impressive start against a Millwall side who have dragged themselves into play-off contention in recent weeks.
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If Regis Le Bris is to guide his team to victory, however, he will have to do so without a number of key players. Influential trio Trai Hume, Patrick Roberts, and Jobe Bellingham are all suspended for the trip to The Den, while question marks remain over the fitness of several other big names, including Romaine Mundle and Alan Browne.
With that in mind, here’s how we think Sunderland could line up in the capital, including their full bench. Check out the gallery below...
9. CM: Milan Aleksic
Le Bris has been cautious when it comes to deploying the Serbian teen so far, but with Browne, Bellingham, and Salis Abdul Samed all likely to be missing at the time of writing, the head coach might not have too many other alternatives available to him. | Frank Reid
10. ST: Wilson Isidor
Sunderland's main goal threat, and one who needs to be played through the middle to get the most out of him. Depending on the formation that Le Bris opts for, he may end up out wide, but there will be a lot of supporters hoping he is deployed through the centre. | Frank Reid
11. ST: Aaron Connolly
Still yet to score for the Black Cats, but you get the impression that his cause would be massively helped by having a partner in crime up front alongside him. This could be the match where we find out if that is the case. | Frank Reid
12. SUB: Simon Moore
A willing deputy in recent weeks, Moore should drop down to the bench if Patterson is passed fit. | Frank Reid