Régis Le Bris dropped a big team selection hint in his pre-match press conference on Thursday, confirming that he has no intention of making wholesale changes to his starting XI in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.
However, he did confirm his intention to make ‘a couple’ of changes, while the bench could also be bolstered by some players returning from injury. So this is what we thinking his starting XI and bench might look like when Stoke City arrive at the Stadium of Light...
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9. RW - Eliezer Mayenda
Le Bris would be reluctant to move Mayenda out from the central role he's played so well of late, but the Black Cats have been managing the minutes of Patrick Roberts carefully this season and it'd be no surprise if he is one of the few rested here. Mayenda is currently the obvious alternative. | Frank Reid
10. LW - Adil Aouchiche
After a few days rest at the end of an unexpectedly busy festive period, Aouchiche deserves another chance to impress in the left wing role he's deputised in impressively of late. | Frank Reid
11. ST - Aaron Connolly
While Le Bris has raised some doubts over Connolly's future amid Wilson Isidor's brilliant form, the Frenchman might be too important to risk here and it offers a great opportunity to take a closer look at the Irishman. | George Tewkesbury/PA Wire
12. Sub - Anthony Patterson
Patterson may well get a rare rest for this game, though he seems certain to be in the squad. | Frank Reid