Régis Le Bris has some major decisions to make as Sunderland return to Europa League action in Leiria on Thursday night.
The Black Cats will be looking to bolster their position in the league phase against second-tier opposition, but Le Bris said in his pre-match press conference that he is determined not to underestimate last season’s Portuguese Cup winners. He also has to strike a fine balance in managing the workload of his senior players, with Wilson Isidor emerging as a major doubt and Thomas Meunier ruled out.
Here’s our best guess as to how Sunderland might line up...
1. Amari Plastics
Covering all of North East England and Cumbria, Amari Plastics launched in 1975 and has built a reputation as the region's leading plastic distributor. During this time, we’ve established strong working relationships with businesses in three main market sectors: sign, display & large format printing, building & construction and industrial & engineering. | Amari Plastics
2. GK - Robin Roefs
Melker Ellborg was not registered for the league phase of this competition due to the homegrown quotes and so Roefs seems certain to continue here. | Getty Images
3. RB - Nordi Mukiele
Though Sunderland need to manage one of their key players in the weeks ahead, he had a good break during the international period while Trai Hume played four times for Northern Ireland. Might be the sensible option to play the Frenchman here and look to the bench if the game is going well in the latter stages. | Sunderland Echo, Chris Fryatt
4. CB - Luke O'Nien
Topped up his match minutes in the U21s at Sheffield Wednesday last week and this could be a good opportunity for him to come back into the side with Kevin Danso having played a lot of football in the last few weeks. | AFP via Getty Images