Sunderland and Régis Le Bris face a stern test of their promotion credentials when they face Coventry City at a sold-out CBS Arena on Friday night.
Le Bris has some huge calls to make for the first leg of the Championship play-off semi final a the Black Cats look to bring a positive result back to Wearside for the second leg on Tuesday night. Here’s how we think he might go, both with his starting XI and his bench...
9. RW - Patrick Roberts
Played through the pain barrier on in the second leg due to a minor calf issue. Will start here providing he has fully recovered. But most definitely one to watch. | Getty Images
10. LW - Romaine Mundle
Changed the game against Coventry City with a brilliant performance. No doubt at all that he makes it into Sunderland's strongest starting XI, and it's merely a question of whether he is fit enough to start. If Sunderland have any reservations about his ability to last the full game, they might want his impact late on. A huge call for Le Bris. Photo: Stu Forster
11. CF - Eliezer Mayenda
It's a tricky decision to make for Le Bris given how good Isidor has been since his arrival from Zenit but for hold-up play and dribbling ability as well as goalscoring, it's just hard to see right now how Mayenda can be left out. | Getty Images
12. Sub - Simon Moore
Firmly established as next in line after a good spell in the side through Patterson's injury earlier in the season. | Frank Reid