Sunderland face Ipswich Town at the Stadium of Light this Saturday as two of League One’s promotion hopefuls do battle.
Selection Dilemmas For Phil Parkinson as Sunderland Face Ipswich
Tom Flanagan or Alim Ozturk
Black Cats boss Phil Parkinson has several decisions to make regarding his team selection.
After last weekend’s disappointing defeat at Portsmouth, which ended an undefeated run, Parkinson could be tempted to make changes.
As of Thursday, over 30,000 tickets had been sold and Parkinson will want to send home fans away happy.
Phil Parkinson will have to make one enforced change. Defender Joel Lynch was stretchered off at Portsmouth after being knocked unconscious. The injury is not as bad as first feared, however, Lynch has been ruled out for this weekend.
Alim Ozturk and Tom Flanagan are the two battling for starting place.
At present, it appears that Parkinson is favouring the latter. Flanagan has experience of playing on the left of a back three, whereas Ozturk is more comfortable in the centre.
There is the option to put Ozturk into the centre and move new signing Bailey Wright to the left of the back three.
Parkinson had this to say on the subject: “Tom has done well in that position so there’d be no hesitation in putting him in.
“He was probably unfortunate not be starting anyway because if we go back a bit, there were a couple of home games where he’s scored a goal and put in very good performances.
“He’s been training well so he’s ready.”
“The way I look at that is, Bailey can play on the left or right as well,” he said.
“I haven’t seen Alim play in those positions, he’s always played in the centre, at Hearts as well.
“I’m sure he could, but in terms of flexibility and the make-up of the defenders, Bailey Wright has played on the left or right of the three.”
Charlie Wyke, Kyle Lafferty or Will Grigg
Charlie Wyke sustained a shoulder injury last weekend and is struggling to be fit; however, the striker has not been ruled out of the clash with Ipswich.
Wyke has been Parkinson’s number one choice for the striker position of late and if fit could retain his place.
If Wyke is not declared fit to start or if Parkinson wants to try a different option, he has two available.
New signing Kyle Lafferty has featured from the bench since signing and is pushing for a starting place.
Fellow Northern Ireland international Will Grigg is another option.
Grigg has struggled since joining last year but impressed in a practice game in midweek.
It was a game that also saw Lafferty play and improve his fitness.
New loan signing Antoine Semenyo is short of match fitness and is likely to be amongst the substitutes.
George Dobson or Josh Scowen
January signing from QPR Josh Scowen is pushing for his first start for the club.
Dobson has been a regular in central midfield of late but faces still competition from newcomer Scowen.
Dobson may get the nod on this occasion with Scowen still integrating with his new teammates according to manager Phil Parkinson.
He said: “Josh has obviously been in and around the QPR team so it was just a case of getting him integrated.
“He obviously came in prior to the Tranmere game and then we’ve travelled down to Portsmouth, so he had very little training time.
“This is the first week really he’s had to train with us.”
Three Could Be Missing Through Injury as Sunderland Face Ipswich
Joel Lynch will miss the game after the injury sustained last week at Portsmouth saw him leave the field on a stretcher.
Elliot Embleton is struggling with a hamstring injury and has yet to return to training.
Charlie Wyke also picked up an injury at Fratton Park but has yet to be ruled out.
Leadbitter Given Leave of Absence by Phil Parkinson
Another player who will miss this game is Grant Leadbitter.
The experienced midfielder will not be considered for selection for the foreseeable future after being granted a leave of absence.
The 34-year-old is expected to be missing for several weeks due to personal issues.
Ipswich Ready for Tough Test
Defender Janoi Donacien is in confident mood ahead of his trip to Wearside. Speaking to the official club website, the full-back said: “They’re a big club just like us and they’ll be ready for it on Saturday. So will we.”
“We know it’ll be tough, though, because they’re a big team and they’ll be up for it.
“It’s an opportunity for us to start winning games again and we’re looking forward to it.”
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