The FOUR Sunderland AFC fixtures in-line to be postponed this season

The Black Cats saw a number of their third tier fixtures rescheduled last season after a number of first-team players were called-up for their respective international squads.

And a similar fate could befall a number of Sunderland’s scheduled games in the 2020/21 campaign with four games in-line to be re-arranged.

Three home games and one away game could be postponed this term should Phil Parkinson opt to exercise the league rule which dictates clubs with three international players in their ranks may delay a fixture.

Only senior international players count towards this quota, and not youth internationals – such as Benji Kimpioka in recent seasons.

The likes of Conor McLaughlin, Tom Flanagan, Aiden O’Brien and Will Grigg are all semi-regular fixtures at international level meaning that the Wearsiders could well hit the criteria.

So which games could be called off?

The 2020/21 FIFA international windows and the games they clash with detailed below:

- August 31 to September 8 – clashes with the Carabao Cup first round tie with Hull City

- October 5 to October 12 – clashes with Blackpool at home

- November 9 to November 17 – clashes with MK Dons at home

- March 22 to March 30 – clashes with Bristol Rovers away

So mark your diaries, Sunderland fans, as these fixtures may yet change.

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