Sunderland travel to Coventry City this Saturday for the day’s early kickoff. The Black Cats will be backed by a 5,000 strong travelling red and white army as the attempt to close the gap on leaders Peterborough. Sunderland’s Jack Ross has a selection headache going into this game; however, as far as he is concerned it is a good headache to have.
Several players are pushing for recalls, and Ross has a decision to make. Will he stick with the team that performed well and beat Rochdale 4-1 last weekend?
Whatever he decides, this is a good selection headache for Jack Ross as he attempts to secure another victory.
Sunderland’s Jack Ross Faces Good Selection Headache Before Facing Coventry
Power Back in Contention
The main man giving Jack Ross a headache will be the return of Max Power. The midfielder has been out through suspension lately but is available again. The loan signing from Wigan was in excellent form before his sending off against Oxford.
Power’s energy, eye for goal and experience will make it very tempting for Sunderland’s Jack Ross to find a place for him in the starting eleven. The question will be, who would make way? Either way, expect Power to be involved either from the start or via the bench.
More Wanting Returns
Several others are also pushing for a return. Bryan Oviedo who missed out last weekend to youngster Denver Hume will want his place back. However, Hume let no one down, and his performance last week should be enough to keep him in the team.
Republic of Ireland International Aiden McGeady has returned from injury and has featured from the bench of late. However, match fitness could still be lacking and he is likely to have to make do with a substitutes place for the time being.
Welsh international Adam Matthews was dropped in favour of new signing Tom Flanagan last weekend. Jack Ross has indicated that Flanagan could now be first-choice.
Matthews will now need to fight for his place in the starting eleven. Competition at a club is healthy and after Flanagan’s full league debut, he looks like he will be hard to remove.
Formation Dilemma?
Sunderland went with three central defenders last week in a 5-3-2 formation. Lynden Gooch and young Denver Hume started as wing-backs. The formation worked especially in the first half as the Black Cats went in at half-time 3-0 up.
A return to a back four is possible; however, after the success of last week, Sunderland’s Jack Ross will be tempted to stick with a winning formation.
Team News
Sunderland will be without striker Charlie Wyke. The striker suffered a knee injury in the defeat at Burton and could be out for 12 weeks.
Duncan Watmore is continuing his recovery from serious injury but has begun training. After two serious injuries, Watmore will not be rushed back.
Donald Love will also not make the trip due to an ankle niggle. Several players are hoping to be involved after being dropped, suspended or injured.
Coventry boss Mark Robins is hopeful influential midfielder Tom Bayliss will be fit for this game. The England U19 international missed the defeat at Bristol Rovers but should be available.
Jodi Jones and Jack Grimmer remain on the sidelines through this injury. Full-back Brandon Mason is also pushing for a recall.
Recent Form
Coventry City’s four games so far in September have brought mixed results; two defeats and two wins has left the Sky Blues 13th in the table. Coventry’s two home wins this season have been won by a single goal, both 1-0 victories.
Two draws and a defeat saw Sunderland’s September being a disappointing one, to say the least. However, last week’s 4-1 demolition of Rochdale saw the Black Cats hit form again. Sunderland have won twice on their travels this season, drawing once and defeated once.
If Sunderland win, it will take them to one point of leaders Peterborough ahead of the afternoon fixtures. The two sides face each on Tuesday night at the Stadium of Light. If results go their way, Sunderland could go into the Peterborough match knowing a victory would put them top of the table.
A Coventry victory would see them move into the top half of the table ahead of a visit from in-form Portsmouth next Tuesday.
Details
Date: 29/09/18
Venue: Ricoh Arena
Time: 12:30
Main Image Credit:
Embed from Getty Images
