Sunderland's games with Sheffield Wednesday, Oxford and Rotherham in-line to be postponed - here's why

The Black Cats’ fixtures for the 2021/22 campaign have today been confirmed but, as ever, are subject to change.

And as they have done in recent seasons, Sunderland could see some of their games rearranged if they have players called-up for international duty.

League One rules state that any club with three senior players called-up for international duty can request to postpone the fixture that the individuals will miss.

It’s something Sunderland have done in the past, and something which they may opt to do again moving forward.

Tom Flanagan and Arbenit Xhemajli are both regular features in the Northern Ireland and Kosovo squads, and the club could yet recruit further internationals as they complete their squad overhaul.

So which games could be in-line to be postponed this season?

Below are the four international windows currently scheduled to fall during the 2021/22 League One season, and the Sunderland fixtures that fall during the windows:

- August 30 – September 8: Sheffield Wednesday (A)

- October 4 – October 12: Oxford United (H)

- November 8 – November 16: Lincoln City (H)

- March 21 – March 29: Rotherham United (H)

It’s also worth noting that the games could also be postponed should Sunderland’s opponents see three players called-up for international duty.

However, the rules stipulate that the three international call-ups required to postpone a fixture must all fall on one side – rather than be spread across the two clubs.

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