Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris may choose to make some rotational changes for the game at Luton Town on Wednesday night.
The Black Cats travel down to Luton Town on Wednesday night as a hectic week of Championship football continues.
Following the international break, Sunderland won 1-0 at Hull City to regain their spot at the top of the Championship table.
Regis Le Bris’ side put in an all-round performance to claim what was an impressive win, albeit with a controversial goal for Sunderland from Wilson Isidor.
Luton Town also got a win over the weekend, beating Watford 3-0 at home to now find themselves in 17th place of the table.
Should the Black Cats win at Kenilworth Road on Wednesday, it’ll be the first Sunderland win away at Luton Town since Roy Keane’s side thumped the Hatters 5-0 on the final day of the 2006/07 season, sealing the Championship title in the process.
Sunderland team news latest ahead of Luton Town
Speaking to the press on Tuesday, Le Bris revealed that Dan Ballard and Eliezer Mayenda are sidelined for Sunderland.
It was reported before the Hull game that Ballard and Mayenda could potentially return at some point this week, possibly the Luton game, though both will now have their sights set on the clash against Oxford United at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
Aaron Connolly made his debut against Hull City and will surely feature again on Wednesday night.
The Black Cats remain without longer-term absentees such as Niall Huggins who could be sidelined until next season, Jenson Seelt, Aji Alese, and Ian Poveda.
Last week, Le Bris revealed that deadline day signings Salis Abdul Samed and Ahmed Abdullahi remain injured; Samed could be available after the November international break whilst Abdullahi is still a while away.
Sunderland predicted XI vs Luton Town as Alan Browne starts
With a congested week of football, expect Le Bris to make some rotational changes to his side, with a seemingly obvious one being Alan Browne.
The experienced midfield is often brought in when there’s close-together fixtures and it could be that Dan Neil makes way for the Irishman, despite Neil’s improved form of late.
Whilst Le Bris will be wary of drastically changing a winning side, he could be tempted to give the likes of Nazariy Rusyn or Tommy Watson a run off the bench, with neither looking ready to start.
Milan Aleksic could also be one that features against Luton Town, in what would be his debut for the Black Cats.
Other than Browne however, Le Bris doesn’t have too many obvious changes to make, with injuries largely making for a weakened bench right now.
Here’s how we think Sunderland will line up against Luton Town on Wednesday night…
Patterson (GK)
Cirkin
O’Nien
Mepham
Hume
Browne
Rigg
Mundle
Bellingham
Roberts
Isidor