Sunderland are preparing for Saturday’s match against Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light - but who will start for Tony Mowbray’s side?
The Black Cats have won five of their last six matches and are fourth in the table following Wednesday’s 2-0 victory over Watford.
Mowbray is still dealing with several injury issues, though, with Pierre Ekwah, Bradley Dack and Dennis Cirkin still sidelined, while Alex Pritchard is managing a calf strain.
Here’s our predicted Sunderland XI to face Middlesbrough:
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