The Sunderland team our writers would pick for Swindon test with significant reshuffle on the cards

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Richie Wellens has a number of injury concerns of his own ahead of the game, but they are a good attacking side with a particularly strong record on home turf.

As such, Parkinson's lack of defensive options poses a challenge.

Tom Flanagan, Arbenit Xhemajli and Morgan Feeney are all missing, while Denver Hume is a major doubt with a knee problem.

Conor McLaughlin could make his first competitive start of 2020 for Sunderland on Saturday

Parkinson himself seemed rather sanguine about the issues on Thursday, stressing that the EFL Trophy games so far have shown that he does have depth and players wth a versatility that can address such issues.

Nevertheless, the situation is clearly far from ideal and will force a significant reshuffle of the unit that has proved hugely dependable in the opening stages of the campaign.

Further forward, too, there are questions to answer as Parkinson looks to turn a promising start to the season into a very good one at the beginning of a hectic month.

Here's how our Sunderland writers see it...

Phil Smith

This looked like the day that we might see Jack Diamond given his first league start, but the news that Denver Hume could be unavailable provides a further issue for Phil Parkinson.

So far this season the defence has picked itself week in, week out.

Parkinson will crave the return of Tom Flanagan on Tuesday, giving his backline some much-needed stability and balance.

This trip to Swindon poses a real conundrum if, as seems likely, Hume has to sit out.

That left wing-back role is such an important position to this team and system, and that leads me to think that Parkinson has to go with an attacking option if possible.

As such, Lynden Gooch might be the player to drop in.

It's not ideal in that he is obviously a naturally right-footed player, but we've seen him score plenty of goals with his left and it is a role he's played in the past.

Away from home against a side with an attacking threat (albeit also with a lot of attacking injuries at the moment), that probably means balancing the rest of the defence.

As such, I'd keep Luke O'Nien on the right and look at bringing in Conor McLaughlin to the back three.

It's a boost that he managed to get some minutes over the international break.

Further forward, I suspect Chris Maguire's excellent display against Carlisle United will see him step back into the side, though that would certainly be harsh on Josh Scowen, who should have had at least one assist at The Valley.

Up front I've often said that it would be good to see Will Grigg get a run, and though Danny Graham and Aiden O'Brien failed to get on the scoresheet at Charlton, there were some good signs.

I think it's probably time for some stability in selection now and as his match fitness builds, Graham can hopefully turn those promising signs into goals.

Sunderland XI: Burge; Willis, Wright, McLaughlin; O'Nien, Leadbitter, Maguire, Power, Gooch; O'Brien, Graham

Rich Mennear

Sunderland return to action today away at Swindon Town and boss Phil Parkinson has a major defensive selection headache to contend with.

Arbenit Xhemajli has been ruled out for the season while Denver Hume is a doubt and Morgan Feeney is facing another couple of months out at least.

With Sunderland playing a back three and Tom Flanagan serving a one-game ban, Parkinson is severely light on numbers.

Firstly, who comes into that back three on the left-hand side? And secondly who replaces Hume, if indeed, he does miss out, as expected.

Given the lack of defensive options it would seem likely Parkinson will have to go with a makeshift defence of either Conor McLaughlin or Luke O’Nien alongside Jordan Willis and Bailey Wright.

O'Nien played there against Carlisle United, Parkinson considering his options that night.

Personally, I'd play Conor McLaughlin and keep O'Nien at right-wing-back with Lynden Gooch - or Jack Diamond - coming into that left-wing back role.

Far from ideal, but needs must with options limited until free agent reinforcements arrive next week.

Sunderland XI: Burge, O'Nien, Willis, Wright, McLaughlin, Gooch, Leadbitter, Scowen, Maguire, O'Brien, Graham

Mark Donnelly

This is perhaps the first time this season when Sunderland's squad selection has been near-impossible to predict.

While there have been dilemmas across the pitch - most notably in the centre of midfield and up top - other areas have benefited from consistent selection.

Nowhere is that more true than in the defensive third, where Parkinson's settled back five have flourished.

Now, though, the Sunderland boss faces having to completely reshuffle his defensive pack.

Despite the limited options, I can't see Parkinson changing his preferred shape - meaning three at the back is likely.

Bailey Wright and Jordan Willis will remain, and after his solid showing against Carlisle I'd be tempted to opt for Luke O'Nien on the left-hand side of the back three.

Conor McLaughlin could then slot in as one wing-back, with Jack Diamond playing on the opposite side - provided Denver Hume isn't able to be involved.

Moving into midfield, it's hard to argue against Josh Scowen continuing his run in the side, while in the forward areas I'd give Danny Graham to right the wrongs of Charlton and get off the mark in League One.

Sunderland XI: Burge; Willis, Wright, O'Nien; McLaughlin, Leadbitter, Scowen, Diamond; Maguire, O'Brien, Graham

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