The other major Sunderland selection dilemma and the big hint Tony Mowbray has already dropped

By this point, though, they had already given up on their search for a third striker. Their priorities now were an additional defender and, Tony Mowbray would later reveal, cover for Corry Evans in defensive midfield.

It's why Evans' suspension for Wigan Athletic's visit to the Stadium of Light this weekend poses another selection conundrum every bit as important for Mowbray as who takes on the striking role in the absence of Ross Stewart and Ellis Simms.

While Sunderland have a plethora of dynamic, exciting young central midfielders they lack an obvious alternative to Evans. The captain has been exceptional over the last six months, his discipline and positioning in the defence an absolutely critical component of the team's upward trajectory.

The expected solution

The most likely scenario is that Mowbray will turn to Dan Neil.

Only last week the head coach admitted that he had come close to resting Corry Evans for the visit of Blackpool, and that Neil would have dropped deeper in that scenario. The head coach wants to build the 20-year-old's flexibility, and believes he has all the attributes to replicate Evans' role. His one game this season in that position was a bizarre one: Neil excelled in the first half an hour against Sheffield United before one bad error in possession resulted in him being shown a straight red card. Mowbray did deploy him there in the latter stages of the draw with Blackpool when Evans was eventually withdrawn, and he impressed.

Neil looks physically stronger this season and the benefit of moving him into the pivot is that it will allow Mowbray to bring in another forward with minimal disruption. That could mean the return of Amad, or a first start for Jewison Bennette if Jack Clarke moves up front.

Another key contender

Mowbray's other option is Edouard Michut.

The pair had a discussion after Michut's debut against Blackpool, one in which Mowbray felt his side probably didn't do enough to get the PSG loanee on the ball. Michut, according to Mowbray, has expressed a preference for playing in a deeper role, where he can get on the ball regularly and dictate the tempo.

Mowbray's understandable reservation is whether a player still adapting to a new league and team is the best option right now for a position that requires such discipline out of possession.

Michut seems certain to return to the squad after completing 90 minutes for the U21s on Monday night, but Mowbray may well look to again ease him into the Championship from the bench.

A wildcard option

One more left-field option for Mowbray is not to play with three in midfield at all. We've seen him at times turn to a 4-4-2 when chasing a goal in the latter stages of games, which allows him to pair Amad with another striker.

It does leave Sunderland vulnerable to the counter, but he has mitigated against that by deploying the athleticism of Jay Matete and Abdoullah Ba in midfield.

Against a well-organised Wigan Athletic side it might be an approach best used if the game becomes stretched late on.

There is much to ponder for Mowbray as he looks to get Sunderland back to winning ways.