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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13. Sub - Nordi Mukiele
Might well be given a breather in terms of starting but likely to have a big role to play off the bench if he is rested. | Sunderland Echo, Chris Fryatt
14. Sub - Omar Alderete
Alderete didn't train on Wednesday but Le Bris has said he is available so could be in contention for a start but will likely be on the bench if not. | Chris Fryatt
15. Sub - Reinildo
Had a big impact off the bench last week and might be asked to have a similar role here. | Sunderland Echo, Chris Fryatt
16. Sub - Granit Xhaka
Xhaka played half an hour off the bench last Thursday and given how well Jules Ahoka did, you'd think Le Bris will take a similar approach this time around. | Sunderland Echo, Chris Fryatt