Starting XI: We're predicting just one change for Sunderland at Ewood Park today

Today at 01:00 AM

Unless someone's overindulged on Christmas pudding, of course.

We got there in the end on Saturday, and coming from behind in our last four games to pick up ten points certainly underlines some resilience and determination within the team – although I think we'd all prefer it if we didn't give the opposition a head start too often.

Today is a different sort of challenge, and could suit us in terms of how we like to play – I think we'll be quite content to let Blackburn have the ball and press and counter when we can.

Team wise, Ballard's out, which means O'Nien and Mepham will resume their partnership at the back, with Hume returning to the starting XI and you'd imagine the rest of the team could be unchanged. Personally, I'd like to see Aouchiche come in on the left, push Mayenda through the middle and give Isidor a rest but I think Le Bris will go with this:

Goalkeeper: Anthony Patterson

Same again in goal – and with transfer speculation about Patterson bubbling under a good display may increase some Premier League interest.

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

With Ballard out for 'at least two weeks' (read six weeks if our time estimations on injuries so far this season are anything to go by), O'Nien will come back in to the centre to partner Chris Mepham. Trai Hume will come back into the starting XI after dropping to the bench at the weekend due to injury, while Cirkin – who's looked off form since returning from injury – should continue at left back, although it wouldn't be a great surprise if Alese stepped in there at some point over the next couple of weeks.

Midfield: Dan Neil, Chris Rigg, Jobe

Same again here, with Neil sitting and Rigg and Jobe playing in more advanced roles – it'll be interesting to see if we do rotate anyone over the next week as the three games we have in seven days will really test our fitness levels, and Rigg especially has looked a bit tired in recent games.

Attack: Patrick Roberts, Wilson Isidor, Elezier Mayenda

Same again here too I think – although Adil Aouchiche is mounting a strong case to get a start with his excellent sub appearances recently. I do think he could play anywhere across that advanced midfield line and it won't be a surprise if he gets the nod at some point soon. Wilson needs a goal, and hopefully, he'll get one today. watch out for Roberts and Mayenda switching wings, too – Mayenda looks better down the right to me, and Roberts did play left for spells on Saturday, so we could see that happen more frequently.