Sunderland had just 11 first-team players available in their Checkatrade Trophy match against Carlisle United last week.
Sunderland boss Jack Ross has had his hand forced in recent games after several members of the Black Cats’ impressive League One squad sustained injuries and suspensions.
Both Bryan Oviedo and Max Power received red cards in back-to-back games, whilst Lynden Gooch and other key members of the regular first-team line-up sustained injuries.
The former Premier League regulars have now played 12 matches in the third tier and fans on Wearside have seen a number of different players in those games, but what is Ross’ best starting XI when everyone is fit?
Three players who without a doubt would be the first name on the 42-year-old’s team sheet would be goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin, striker Josh Maja and wide midfielder Chris Maguire.
Maja has nine goals in 12 matches and has taken the third division by storm, whilst McLaughlin has been somewhat of an unsung hero after saving two penalties already this term.
Former Bury man Maguire is looking like one of the best purchases in recent times and the Scot has been at the heart of everything good in red and white this season, scoring three and assisting his teammates on three occasions also.
Special mentions should also go to Lee Cattermole and Jack Baldwin, who have been fantastic so far this season with standout performances in more or less every game.
One position still up for grabs is left-back, with Oviedo, Denver Hume and Reece James all having battled out to cement a place on the left side of defence.
It will be important for the Wearside team to continue to give their manager a selection headache with performances that warrant a promotion push, especially given the importance of getting back into the Championship for fans.
Below is what we think Sunderland’s best starting XI is when all players are fit, with Hume getting the nod at full-back and Max Power keeping his place alongside Cattermole, despite an evident disciplinary problem.
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