Sunderland take on QPR in the Championship this weekend, where Regis Le Bris’ side will look for a fourth-straight win in the league.
Sunderland start this next round of fixtures with a five-point lead at the top of the Championship table.
Last week, the Black Cats won all three of their games; winning at Hull City and at Luton Town in a fierce midweek battle, before cruising to a 2-0 win over Oxford United at the Stadium of Light.
Up next is a trip to QPR. The R’s currently sit in 23rd place of the table and have won just one game all season.
Last weekend, QPR did Sunderland a favour by drawing at Burnley, handing the Black Cats their lead at the top.
Sunderland were strongly linked with QPR manager Marti Cifuentes during the summer. The Spaniard is now under pressure after his poor start to this season.
Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson ruled out vs QPR
Academy graduate Anthony Patterson missed the last outing against Oxford United with a muscle injury picked up in the win at Luton Town.
Hatters fans thought Patterson was faking his injury when he went down amid a Luton barrage in the first half.
But Le Bris was forced to deploy second-choice Simon Moore for the game against Oxford United last time out.
Speaking to the press on Thursday, Le Bris revealed on Patterson: “We think Anthony Patterson will miss one more week.”
Moore then is poised to make his second-successive start for the Black Cats, and his third total appearance of the season.
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Simon Moore rejected rival offers to join Sunderland this summer
Moore seemed like a steady, not-too-overwhelming signing for Sunderland during the summer, with the 34-year-old clearly brought in as Patterson’s no.2.
But on his debut against Preston in the Carabao Cup earlier in the season, he impressed.
Black Cats fans had no qualms when Moore was brought into the XI against Oxford. He had very little to do on the day but looked comfortable on the ball and commanding inside his penalty box.
Speaking in a fans’ forum earlier in the season, Moore revealed he had multiple offers before joining Sunderland, who didn’t even have a manager at the time of his arrival.
Sunderland kick off against QPR at 3pm on Saturday. Leeds United in 3rd play Plymouth Argyle in a Saturday 3pm kick off whilst Burnley in 2nd play Millwall on Sunday.