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...
9. CAM - Chemsdine Talbi
Talbi starred in the previous round playing just off the main striker and will almost certainly reprise that role here. Will look to kick on again after returning to Premier League action on Sunday. | Chris Fryatt
10. LW - Malick Fofana
Fofana didn't feature against Leeds United at the weekend so will surely come into the XI to top up his minutes and build some rhythm for this one. | Sunderland Echo, Chris Fryatt
11. ST - Timur Tutierov
Juan Riquelme played 45 minutes for the U21s against Newcastle United on Monday evening in a 3-2 defeat, which was a clear hint that Tutierov will get another chance to impress here. Seems next to no chance that Brian Brobbey will be risked ahead of a crucial game on Saturday. | Chris Fryatt, Echo
12. Sub - Simon Moore
Moore was on the bench for the previous round against Hull and seems likely Sunderland will go the same way here. | Getty Images