Sunderland face top of the group Carlisle United in their second Checkatrade Trophy game this week.
Sunderland beat Bradford City 2-1 at Valley Parade last weekend to go third in League One, but attentions turn to the Checkatrade Trophy this week.
Jack Ross’s Black Cats play John Sheridan’s Carlisle United as first plays second from Group One at the Stadium of Light.
The competition is a chance for Sunderland to get to Wembley this season, but a lot of injuries will force 42-year-old Ross’s hand in which team he picks on Tuesday evening.
The League One side might’ve been keen to field a strong side against Carlisle, especially with Sunderland’s game against Blackpool this weekend having been called off due to international call-up’s.
But with Lynden Gooch, Denver Hume, Duncan Watmore, Glenn Loovens, Donald Love and Charlie Wyke all on the injured list, Sunderland only have 11 first-team players available.
Nine-goal talisman Josh Maja and the impressive Jerome Sinclair have also been declared injured and therefore unavailable by Ross in an interview with the Chronicle.
Forward Benjamin Kimpioka will be a likely starter in Sunderland’s side and the match will be a huge chance for the youngster to lead the line.
Elsewhere, we predict Robbin Ruiter to start between the sticks, Alim Ozturk to come in for the impressive Jack Baldwin and fringe midfielder Luke O’Nien to get his chance to shine in midfield in place of the suspended Max Power.
Below is how we predict Sunderland will line-up against Carlisle United, with five changes to the side that started at Valley Parade last weekend.
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