Sunderland fans will be keenly anticipating the team news from Brighton on Saturday afternoon as the departure of six senior players for the Africa Cup of Nations leaves Régis Le Bris with one of his toughest selections yet this season.
Here, we predict what the starting XI might look like and who’ll be on the bench as a result...
1. GK - Robin Roefs
Kept a valuable clean sheet last week with a smart late stop and will hope to continue that momentum here. | Getty Images
2. RB - Lutsharel Geertruida
Looks highly likely to leave this summer but his selection last week showed Le Bris is only thinking about the here and how. One of Sunderland's best performers on the day, he has surely done enough to keep his place in the XI. | AFP via Getty Images
3. RB - Nordi Mukiele
Sunderland ideally want Mukiele at right back but Le Bris's reshuffle in Ballard's absence last week went well. Mukiele is comfortable at centre back and performed very, so seems likely to continue. | Getty Images
4. CB - Omar Alderete
Has consistently been one of the first names on the teamsheet this season and after a clean sheet last time out that seems highly unlikely to change here. | Chris Fryatt