The Black Cats are still dealing with multiple injury setbacks, after Aji Alese, Dennis Cirkin, Alex Pritchard, Niall Huggins and Elliot Embleton all missed last weekend’s 3-1 defeat against Swansea.
Luke O’Nien will also be suspended against Middlesbrough following his red card against The Swans last time out.
Despite last weekend’s result, Mowbray’s side had been in good form over the festive period.
Here’s our predicted Sunderland line-up to face Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light:
1. GK: Anthony Patterson
The Sunderland keeper has kept back-to-back clean sheets against Sheffield Wednesday and Watford. Photo: Frank Reid
2. RB: Niall Huggins
Huggins switched from left-back to right-back against Watford and scored an excellent goal to open the scoring. Photo: Frank Reid
3. CB: Luke O’Nien
Sunderland’s captain was perhaps fortunate not to concede a penalty against Watford but produced another strong performance on the whole. Photo: Frank Reid
4. CB: Dan Ballard
The centre-back continues to impress in the heart of Sunderland’s defence and almost scored his third of the season from a set-piece against Watford. Photo: Frank Reid