Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris could look to drop one surprise player ahead of the clash with Portsmouth.
The Black Cats are set to face Portsmouth at the Stadium of Light, where they will be hoping to make it three successive home wins for Regis Le Bris.
Last time out, Sunderland saw off 3rd place Sheffield United in decent fashion as the French boss made the bold call to set his side up with two strikers, slotting both Eliezer Mayenda and Wilson Isidor into their preferred positions.
The call made from Le Bris as Mayenda was able to silence his doubters with a brilliantly taken one-on-one , whilst Isidor also finished off a tidy and intricate goal after taking it around the Blades defender.
It could be likely that Le Bris makes another bold call ahead of the clash with Pompey, one that could see one man dropped despite only being absent for one game this Championship season.
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris could make bold call and drop Luke O’Nien vs Portsmouth
Last time out, whilst the majority of the Black Cats side were on top form, some eyes turned to the showing put on by Sunderland club captain Luke O’Nien, who scored an own goal against Sheffield United.
It is safe to say he had his critics following the 2-1 victory, as fans slated his performance, however, BBC pundit Gary Bennett hit back at the suggestions made about his showing.
O’Nien also had a questionable moment in the clash with Norwich City, where he was deemed to be ‘lucky’ to not be sent off following an incident with Borja Sainz.
The Sunderland defender has been a stalwart in the Black Cats side, starting 23 out of the 25 games this season, and only missing one.
Luke O’Nien potential absence will have huge opportunity to Aji Alese
If O’Nien was to be taken out of the starting lineup by Le Bris, it could very well be the case that Aji Alese will get a chance to ply his trade at centre-back following his performance on the left against Sheffield United, whilst Dennis Cirkin returns from the bench.
23-year-old defender Alese was dependable in the clash against Sheffield United, where, per Sofascore, he contributed five clearances and one interception; the stats clearly showing that he wasn’t targeted for the full 90 minutes, but looked solid when it mattered.
He has been handed just seven starts this season, but with his start last time out, he could very well earn himself a start at centre-back, something that would help bring Cirkin back into the side as well.