Head coach Régis Le Bris has some big calls to make as Sunderland return to Europa League action on Thursday night.
Thomas Meunier and Wilson Isidor remain major injury doubts, while Brian Brobbey is set to be rested again before returning from a hamstring injury against Leeds United on Sunday. A number of players will miss out again having not been registered in the Europa League squad due to homegrown player restrictions, including Chemsdine Talbi, Jocelin Ta Bi and Juan Riquelme.
Here’s our best guess as to how Le Bris might approach it, both with his starting XI and from the bench.
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1. GK - Robin Roefs
With Melker Ellborg not registered due to UEFA's homegrown registration restrictions, Roefs will continue here. | Getty Images
2. RB - Trai Hume
Hume has had a very heavy workload of late when international commitments are also factored in but injuries mean he might need to go again here. Came off after an hour last week in Portugal and was replaced by Nordi Mukiele - might the blueprint be similar here? | Sunderland Echo, Chris Fryatt
3. CB - Kevin Danso
Danso will serve his one-match suspension against Leeds United on Sunday and so despite having been rested for the last two European games, it might make sense for him to again here to protect others who will play on Sunday. A quick chance to bounce back might not be the worst thing, either. | Sunderland Echo
4. CB - Luke O'Nien
Despite missing the training session on Wednesday, Omar Alderete is available for this game. However, O'Nien has started every game in the cups so far this season and seems highly likely to do so again here. | AFP via Getty Images