Régis Le Bris faces one of the biggest selections of his Sunderland tenure as the Black Cats take on Chelsea at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.
Le Bris was backed by the club hierarchy early this week despite a disappointing run of form, but the pressure has risen again after the Europa League defeat to Dinamo Zagreb. Here’s our best guess as to how he might approach the game, both with his starting XI and with the bench...
5. LB - Reinildo
Dayann Methalie had been pushing for more league minutes but was one of many to struggle a bit on Thursday. In a game of this magnitude Reinildo seems certain to start. | Sunderland Echo, Chris Fryatt
6. CM - Granit Xhaka
Xhaka's form is the subject of fierce debate on Wearside and he has undoubtedly been short of his best this season, but little doubt Le Bris will ask him to go again in such a big game. Remains his team's best creative outlet. | Sunderland Echo, Chris Fryatt
7. CM - Noah Sadiki
Had a bit of an impact in midweek and will come back into the starting XI here. | Sunderland Echo, Chris Fryatt
8. CM - Enzo Le Fee
Hasn't been able to have his usual impact in the last couple of games but Le Bris will trust him to show his quality here.