Starting XI: Is this the Sunderland team that will line up against QPR this afternoon?

Today at 02:00 AM

Can the lads make it four wins from four at Loftus Road?

Anthony Patterson was the surprise missing name when the teams were announced last Saturday, and it looks likely he'll be missing again this afternoon as the lads take on QPR. Rumours were circulating yesterday too about Chris Rigg, and it looks likely he'll miss out, meaning there's going to be at least one change from the side that destroyed Oxford last time out.

Goalkeeper: Simon Moore

As far as goalkeeper league debuts go, Moore couldn't have asked for an easier one than the game last weekend. He'll likely be busier today, but it's good that we've got such an experienced player backing up Patterson now.

Defence: Trai Hume, Chris Mepham, Luke O'Nien, Dennis Cirkin

Same again at the back today – although Chris Mepham came off late on on Saturday so hopefully that was nothing more than precautionary. Dan Ballard and Aji Alese are rumoured to be back in the squad today – it just shows the strength in depth we have that those two were many people's preferred central partnership at the start of the season, but both now face a real battle to get back into the starting XI.

Midfield: Dan Neil, Jobe, Alan Browne

I've been advocating for Chris Rigg to get a rest for a couple of weeks now, and it looks likely it's going to be an enforced one today. Alan Browne will come in for the youngster and play alongside Jobe and Dan Neil, who were both exceptional last Saturday. Neil had his best game of the season by far, and hopefully he can keep up those performance levels today.

Attack: Patrick Roberts, Wilson Isidor, Romaine Mundle

Same again up front, although with Mayenda back and Connolly chomping at the bit, it wouldn't surprise me too much if we pushed Wilson to the left to give Mundle a rest at some point soon. However, after his recent goals, I just don't think you can risk moving Isidor – he's shown he can score all manner of goals, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him get another today.