After a frustrating draw with Preston North End in midweek, Sunderland are straight back to Championship action when they welcome Coventry City to the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon.
Coventry made the shock decision ahead of the game to sack long-serving and hugely successful boss Mark Robins, putting first-team coach Rhys Carr in temporary charge. Like Régis Le Bris, he has a number of injury and availability issues to continue ahead of the game. Here’s all the team news across both camps as we have it...
1. Chris Mepham - available
Has served his one-match suspension for picking up a red car in the defeat to Sheffield United. Could well come straight back into the starting XI given his outstanding form since signing on loan from Bournemouth on deadline day. | Frank Reid
2. Luke O'Nien - major doubt
Le Bris revealed on Monday that O'Nien had played through illness on Saturday and was still not fully recovered. As such, the head coach wasn't sure whether he would be able to play a part on Tuesday night. Patrick Roberts has been struggling with a similar illness in recent days but has been passed fit for this game. Mepham's return might mean Sunderland have no need to risk O'Nien. | Frank Reid
3. Scott Twine - doubt
Twine missed the defeat to Portsmouth on Saturday due to illness and head coach Liam Manning confirmed afterwards that he wasn't yet sure if he'd be able to feature at the Stadium of Light. | Getty Images Photo: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images
4. Romaine Mundle - out
Expected to be out for around six to eight weeks with a hamstring injury, meaning he will miss the entirety of the festive period. Expected back in early January. | Bradley Collyer/PA Wire