Revealed! The Sunderland player that will definitely miss the Rochdale clash

Lynch has not sustained any serious injuries from the collision that left him unconscious at Fratton Park, but is still yet to fully recover.

“He is struggling a bit with the rib,” Parkin said, the assistant manager was standing in for Phil Parkinson for press duties at the Academy of Light.

“I saw him today and it's still a little bit sore.

“He's had the all clear in terms of there being nothing broken, but they can be funny injuries and they can take a while to get over.

“He's not quite right yet.”

Tom Flanagan is set to keep his place on the left of the back three after making an impressive return on Saturday, with one late challenge on Kayden Jackson particularly crucial in preserving his side’s hard-earned lead.

“We do a lot so that those not in the team currently still know their roles and responsibilities,” Parkin said.

“I think that showed at the weekend.

“Tom has been terrific while Lynchy was in team, he's trained properly, he's worked on aspects of his game that he felt he needed to work on.

“He was smashing when he came in and he's saved us a goal with that late tackle.”

Sunderland beat Ipswich Town 1-0 thanks to a Chris Maguire strike nine minutes from time.