Régis Le Bris has some big calls to make as Sunderland return to Carabao Cup action at the Stadium of Light this week.
The competition quite clearly sits bottom of the club’s priorities for the campaign ahead, but they are just one game away from a quarter final and have a number of senior players who would benefit from more minutes. Here’s our best guess as to how he will approach it, both from the start and with his bench...
1. GK - Melker Ellborg
Ellborg is not registered for the Europa League due to the competition's homegrown quota causing challenges for Sunderland so will likely start here to keep him sharp. | Getty Images
2. RB - Trai Hume
Hume has had a fairly heavy workload of late but might well be asked to go again here. If all goes to plan, Thomas Meunier will come off the bench in the second half to share the workload. | Getty Images
3. CB - Kevin Danso
Danso is available again after suspension and if as seems likely Luke O'Nien is to retain his place at Coventry on Saturday, then the Austrian might be back in the XI for this one to top up his minutes. | Sunderland Echo
4. CB - Omar Alderete
A solid showing off the bench on Sunday was a step in the right direction after his struggles at Bournemouth. Would be a risk to reprise the partnership with Danso after that game on the South Coast but seems the sensible way to go in terms of managing the workload of the defenders currently available. | Sunderland's Omar Alderete. Photo by Chris Fryatt.