Sunderland are ‘hopeful’ that they can welcome back one key player against Norwich City this weekend.
Sunderland will be desperate to pick up their first win in over a month as they travel to Carrow Road.
The Black Cats have endured three successive defeats and will need to override their horrific away form if they are to leave with any dignity this weekend. Mike Dodds’ side have won only one of their last 12 games on the road.
Sunderland will still be without Dan Ballard as he serves the final match of his suspension, while Patrick Roberts, Aji Alese, Dennis Cirkin, Niall Huggins, Corry Evans, Elliot Embleton and Bradley Dack could all miss out.
However, Sunderland Echo have claimed that Dodds is ‘hopeful’ that Jack Clarke could make his comeback after missing out on the defeat to Swansea City.
The winger picked up an injury against Birmingham and reports had claimed that he could be sidelined for a number of weeks, though it appears it is not as bad as first feared.
The report claims that the Wearside outfit are ‘still at this early stage hopeful that Jack Clarke will be fit to play’.
The journalist, Phil Smith, also admitted he would be ‘surprised’ if Romaine Mundle didn’t start after he was left out at the weekend.
What changes should Sunderland make vs Norwich?
Depending on Jack Clarke’s fitness, we could potentially see both of them start on either wing against Norwich.
Abdoullah Ba failed to impress against Swansea and could drop to the bench, while both Clarke and Mundle could prove to be a real handful for the Norwich defence.
If the 23-year-old ‘super talent’ isn’t available to start this weekend, then I would consider pushing Nazariy Rusyn out wide.
The Ukrainian has looked very lively in recent weeks but arguably hasn’t looked like a No.9. Instead, Luis Hemir Semedo looked very bright when he came on at the weekend, so we could perhaps change things up and give him only his first start since the opening day of the campaign.
After a terrible run of form, something needs to change and our frontline could be the key to picking up some points.
No doubt Mike Dodds will be scrapping his back five from the last match, while we could hopefully see Chris Rigg given a chance in the middle of the park too.
The teenager is yet to start a game for Sunderland but has enjoyed some really impressive cameos since coming back into the team, however the Ekwah-Jobe-Neil midfield has rarely gone disturbed this term – despite being particularly underwhelming for the most part.