This is the Sunderland team our writers would pick for crunch Peterborough United clash

Here’s how our writers would go…

PHIL SMITH

Last season we saw Phil Parkinson, after the turn of the year at least, settled on a preferred XI and basically stay there until his hand was forced by injury or suspension.

You can expect that, in the league at least, to remain the case in defence for the forseeable future.

Further up the pitch, though, his comments are increasingly suggesting that he will be more open to rotation this time around.

That seems to be down to a combination of the fixture schedule on the horizon and the better options he now feels he has.

Saturday's selection seems to boil down to: how do you get Lynden Gooch in the side?

Parkinson conceded he was very close to winning selection last week and his stunning solo goal makes it very difficult to state a case for his exclusion.

His addition in the side will mean a slight change of shape, but that extra width and versatility might be no bad thing against a Peterborough side who generally play with a back three.

Max Power's injury (if he isn't fully fit) will mean a deserved call for Josh Scowen, and the only other real question is up front.

On home turf I'd like to see Will Grigg get another go, but of course, it's all a question of the service he gets.

Sunderland XI: Burge; Willis, Wright, Flanagan; O'Nien, Leadbitter, Scowen, Hume; Gooch, Maguire, Grigg

MARK DONNELLY

The Sunderland back three - or back five, if you prefer to look at it that way - practically picks itself at the moment.

Jordan Willis, Bailey Wright and Tom Flanagan have built up a strong rapport and impressed against Oxford, as did Denver Hume and Luke O'Nien in the wide areas.

While Lee Burge looked shaky between the sticks on occasion, he deserves another opportunity to kick on.

In midfield, however, the debates will rage on.

Much will depend on whether skipper Max Power is fit and available for the game.

But given he hadn't trained as of Thursday, I've erred on the side of caution and left him out the side with Josh Scowen coming in to replace him. Grant Leadbitter was solid at Oxford and sat in front of the back three well, so looks likely to start again regardless of the situation with Power.

Up front, there are also some tough decisions to be made.

Aiden O'Brien missed some gilt-edged chances at Oxford and it's hard to argue that he should retain his place ahead of Lynden Gooch - who was so impressive in his cameo.

The question then is who plays as the traditional number nine.

Danny Graham provided a good platform for Sunderland to build off at the Kassam Stadium but this game may call more for Will Grigg.

Peterborough's back three can easily be stretched and, with their wing-backs known to leave plenty of space in behind, having willing runners ready to exploit the channels will be key.

And for that reason, I'm giving Grigg the nod.

Sunderland XI: Burge; Willis, Wright, Flanagan; Leadbitter; O'Nien, Scowen, Maguire, Hume; Gooch, Grigg

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