Starting XI: Is this the Sunderland team that will face Burnley at Turf Moor tonight?
Today at 01:00 AM
Regis Le Bris has some big selection decisions tonight – including whether Enzo Le Fee is thrown straight in.
With Chris Rigg returning to fitness, Milan Aleksic impressing from the bench, Adil Aouchiche's redemption and Enzo Le Fee's arrival, competition for those midfield positions is getting fierce – and it's only going to get more intense when the likes of Mundle, Watson and Browne return to fitness, and a new forward joins, which is looking increasingly likely.
Tonight is a huge game, and a positive result – be that a draw or a win – will be massive for our automatic hopes.
Team selection is going to be intriguing, given both the magnitude of the game and the style of opposition. Burnley – and it's not being unkind saying this – are dull team. They'll sit low, restrict us, and rely on a set piece, a mistake, or a moment of real quality to break through.
Given that, I think we'll prioritise players who can keep the ball and have the ability to create something out of nothing... Here's how I think we might line up tonight.
Goalkeeper: Anthony Patterson
After Simon Moore played in the cup, Anthony Patterson will return in goal tonight.
Defence: Trai Hume, Chris Mepham, Luke O'Nien, Dennis Cirkin
Aji Alese's injury means we're a bit light on at full back again, and hopefully Dennis Cirkin is fit and raring to go as he's one of – if not the best – left back in the division when he's firing. Alongside him in defence it's a fairly straightforward selection with Dan Ballard being out – Hume, Mepham and O'Nien should all play, and hopefully O'Nien's back on form after an iffy few weeks. The only wildcard here could be Hjelde, who I thought looked good against Stoke and could come in if we want a more defensive line up, or greater aerial strength.
Midfield: Dan Neil, Jobe, Enzo Le Fee
Enzo Le Fee's been brought in to play and to make the difference in games like this. He's been training with the squad this week, and I think it's a certainty he'll come into the team, likely in the 10 role with Neil and Jobe sitting in the deeper positions together, as they did at Blackburn. Chris Rigg is obviously in contention here too, but I think given he's been out injured he'll start on the bench – although he could be deployed on the right instead of Patrick Roberts, as he did at Luton, so that's one to watch. Set pieces could be important tonight too, which is another reason why Le Fee will start, as he's a dead ball expert.
Attack: Patrick Roberts, Wilson Isidor, Adil Aouchiche
Adil Aouchiche has been excellent in recent weeks, and with 120 minutes in his legs he's going to be really up to match fitness now. He's probably been a bit guilty of trying to do too much in recent games, but who can blame him? He's been poorly treated this season so far and has shown he has the quality to make a difference. I think he'll start today – his ball control and retention is excellent, which gives him the nod on the left ahead of Mayenda. Mayenda's threat is his pace over the top, but Burnley are well drilled and won't give us much space to exploit, so we're going to need technicians like Aouchiche, Le Fee and Roberts to create those chances. In the second half, depending on the state of play, they may leave more space in behind, and Mayenda's fresh legs could be crucial in the last 20-30 minutes. Through the middle will be Wilson Isidor, with whom there's always a chance of the spectacular.
