Sunderland travel to Fleetwood Town in the EFL Trophy tonight.
After last week’s FA Cup shocker at home to Mansfield Town, the pressure has quickly mounted on Phil Parkinson, and a heavy loss tonight could send shock-waves through the club.
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But they sit in 6th-place of the League One table – Fleetwood five points behind in 10th – and a win would not only alleviate some of the pressure on Parkinson, but hold Sunderland in good stead for the visit of MK Dons at the weekend.
Here we take a look at how Sunderland might line-up tonight:
GK Lee Burge – Sat out the loss to Mansfield, but expect the 27-year-old to retake his post tonight.
CB Conor McLaughlin – Continuing his impressive run in the side having started in the last four outings.
CB Bailey Wright – Was also left out of the side to face Mansfield, but should return tonight to bolster the defence.
CB Dion Sanderson – Has started two of the last four now. Offers a lot more pace and dynamism at the back, which could come in handy against Fleetwood tonight.
LWB Denver Hume – Started and finished all 90-minutes nine times in League One so far this season. Reliable and versatile on the wing, should return after sitting out Mansfield defeat.
RWB Luke O’Nien – Midfielder by trade, but covering in at right-wing back – or often a right midfielder – and offers a good outlet on the flank.
CM Josh Scowen – Lively midfield player who loves to get stuck in. His kind of tenacity could be pivotal in ensuring Sunderland don’t have any cobwebs left from Mansfield.
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CM Grant Leadbitter – Another experienced head whose doggedness could prove pivotal in the middle of the park tonight.
CM Lynden Gooch – Gets things going in midfield. His creative spark was a miss last time out and he’ll no doubt be making a return to action tonight.
ST Charlie Wyke – Five goals in his last seven Sunderland appearances. Came off the bench against Mansfield but should be in from the start tonight.
ST Aiden O’Brien – The ex-Millwall man could be handed just his second start in eight. Sunderland strikers not firing of late, so Parkinson could opt for something new.
