The exciting Sunderland XI Tony Mowbray could name after latest injury reveal and who might miss out - photo gallery
It’s why he said in the aftermath of the 1-0 friendly win last Friday that he believes it could be an exciting second half of the campaign.
The extensive injury list has not fully cleared but it is getting there, and some key figures are pushing for inclusion at the weekend. While there are a number of big decisions to be made as to the starting XI - perhaps most significant is the impact that it will have on Mowbray’s bench. For the first time, he’ll have depth and variety in almost every position to switch things up in the game.
It could also lead to some very good players missing out entirely, both this weekend and moving forward Here, we explain how it could shake out…
It could also lead to some very good players missing out entirely, both this weekend and moving forward Here, we explain how it could shake out…
9. RW - AMAD
How can you not pick Patrick Roberts? It’s a question that was on Mowbray’s mind ahead of the Birmingham win, but in the end his strategy to sit a little deeper and play on the break was perfect for Amad. The Man Utd loanee was magnificent, brilliant again on Friday and seemingly an absolute must-pick for the weekend. Mowbray would like to get them both in the same side, and did so last week in Dubai. It didn’t work against Cardiff, but that was as much about the midfield behind them. Whether he tries it on Saturday remains to be seen but it’s an exciting prospect. Photo: FRANK REID 2022
10. LW - JACK CLARKE
Embleton showed his quality by twice striking the woodwork against Al-Shabab, and he’ll almost certainly be involved at some stage on Saturday. Clarke will surely start on the left wing, though, looking to build on an excellent start to the season even if teams are increasingly marking him out for close attention. Photo: FRANK REID 2022
11. CF - ELLIS SIMMS
Sunderland hope Simms will be somewhere near his sharpest after a valuable block of training. Missed a big chance last Friday but has clearly added something different since his injury return - even when clearly not fully fit. Photo: FRANK REID
12. BENCH DILEMMAS
Jewison Bennette and Bailey Wright both could be back on Wearside if their teams don’t make it out of the group stage in the World Cup, but both remain very much in contention with a game to play. If they are knocked out, the logistics might mean the weekend comes too soon anyway. Either way, there are a lot of very welcome headaches on the horizon for Mowbray, and plenty for Saturday's game. Let's take a closer look... Photo: FRANK REID