The change our writers would make to the Sunderland XI for Ipswich Town test

A hectic schedules continues at pace, however, and the Black Cats face a stern test of their top-two credentials when Ipswich Town visit the Stadium of Light on Tuesday night.

So who will Phil Parkinson turn to?

Here, our writers discuss the big selection dilemmas ahead of the game and deliver their verdicts...

PHIL SMITH

I don't see any reason to change the defensive unit (and I'm including Grant Leadbitter in that) that produced a clean sheet in some rotten conditions at Gillingham.

There is definitely an argument for trying to get Dion Sanderson into the side, given that we saw on his debut against Rochdale that he brings an attacking threat.

Conor McLaughlin, though, did well at the weekend and looks much more comfortable when played on the right of the back three, rather than as a wing-back.

He should keep his place, with the two cup games that follow presenting a natural chance to get Sanderson more minutes.

The biggest condundrum for me is how to fit Chris Maguire and Josh Scowen into the same side.

Scowen was excellent on Saturday, doing just about everything but putting the ball in the back of the net.

Maguire responded well to being left out and in a big game like this, he is one of the first names you want on your teamsheet.

So I'm moving back to the 3-4-3 shope, though clearly, that means Scowen probably isn't in his ideal position on the left of central midfield.

It means Aiden O'Brien drops out.

There's been a lot to like about his performances so far, but that finishing touch has been missing and that makes it difficult to justify selecting him as a second striker.

Sunderland XI: Burge; McLaughlin, Wright, Flanagan; O'Nien, Leadbitter, Scowen, Hume; Maguire, Gooch, Wyke

MARK DONNELLY

The win at Gillingham will have given Phil Parkinson plenty of food for thought ahead of the visit of Ipswich - in what many are viewing as another litmus test for the Black Cats' promotion.

I'd be surprised to see Parkinson make the volume of changes he did for the game at Priestfield, with the performance against the Gills effective if not outstanding.

Indeed, with the cup game against Mansfield on the horizon Parkinson may be tempted to stick rather than twist - and then rotate his squad against the Stags.

The back three is likely to remain unchanged after a clean sheet, with Conor McLaughlin earning another opportunity on the right-hand side following a good display in Kent.

In midfield, Josh Scowen and Grant Leadbitter impressed in the centre of the park while Lynden Gooch looks to be back to his creative best.

The big question mark will be over who plays in the role just behind Charlie Wyke.

Aiden O'Brien offered plenty on Saturday but his end product was lacking, while Chris Maguire impressed from the bench - after some low-key performances in the two games prior.

It would be no surprise to see Maguire back in the fold, and we know he can have a vital say in games of this nature.

SAFC XI: Burge; McLaughlin, Wright, Flanagan; O'Nien, Leadbitter, Scowen, Gooch, Hume; Maguire, Wyke

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