Sunderland are preparing for their Championship fixture against Plymouth Argyle at Home Park – but who will start for Tony Mowbray’s side?
The Black Cats moved back up to sixth in the table with a 3-1 win over Birmingham before the international break, meaning they’ve taken seven points from their last three matches.
Plymouth sit 19th after 16 games this season and have taken just one point from their last three matches.
Here’s how Sunderland could start against the Pilgrims:
1. GK: Anthony Patterson
The Sunderland keeper has kept five clean sheets in 16 appearances this season.
Hume played for Northern Ireland against Finland this week and may need to come out of the side at some stage. Still, Sunderland are short of suitable replacements due to injuries at this point of the season.
2. RB: Trai Hume
Hume played for Northern Ireland against Finland this week and may need to come out of the side at some stage. Still, Sunderland are short of suitable replacements due to injuries at this point of the season.
After serving a one-match suspension against Birmingham, for picking up his fifth yellow card of the season, O’Nien will be available again against Plymouth.
3. CB: Luke O’Nien
After serving a one-match suspension against Birmingham, for picking up his fifth yellow card of the season, O’Nien will be available again against Plymouth.
Ballard also missed the Birmingham match due to a suspension but will be available again after playing for Northern Ireland.
4. CB: Dan Ballard
Ballard also missed the Birmingham match due to a suspension but will be available again after playing for Northern Ireland.
5. LB: Niall Huggins
Huggins has started Sunderland’s last 11 games and earned his first international call-up for Wales this month. The 22-year-old’s return to the side has been a big boost due to Dennis Cirkin’s injury setbacks. Photo
Ekwah was below his usual standards in the win over Birmingham but has become a regular starter in Sunderland’s midfield.
6. CM: Pierre Ekwah
Ekwah was below his usual standards in the win over Birmingham but has become a regular starter in Sunderland’s midfield.
With O’Nien suspended, Neil captained Sunderland against Birmingham and has become a crucial player for the Black Cats.
7. CM: Dan Neil
With O’Nien suspended, Neil captained Sunderland against Birmingham and has become a crucial player for the Black Cats. Photo
The winger signed a new contract with Sunderland last week and spoke about his ambition to get the club back to the Premier League.
8. RW: Patrick Roberts
The winger signed a new contract with Sunderland last week and spoke about his ambition to get the club back to the Premier League.
9. CAM: Adil Aouchiche
After coming off the bench and scoring his first Sunderland goal against Birmingham, the Frenchman could be in line for his first Black Cats start. Mowbray has admitted Jobe Bellingham will need to come out of the team at some stage, while the teenager withdrew from England’s under-19s squad this week. Photo
Clarke remains Sunderland main attacking threat and has already scored nine Championship goals this season.
10. LW: Jack Clarke
Clarke remains Sunderland main attacking threat and has already scored nine Championship goals this season. Photo
While he’s still waiting for his first Sunderland goal, Rusyn has started the side’s last three Championship matches.
11. ST: Nazariy Rusyn
While he’s still waiting for his first Sunderland goal, Rusyn has started the side’s last three Championship matches.
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