Sunderland manager Jack Ross has a long injury list, but will likely still make changes on Thursday evening.
Sunderland face off against Sheffield Wednesday on Thursday evening in the final first-round game of the domestic cup competition.
The Black Cats have a long list of injuries, but the games are coming thick and fast, including this fixture against Wednesday and Ross will be keen to rest some of his key men for their all-important League One campaign.
However, Sunderland have had a busy transfer window this summer and have acquired plenty of strength in depth for not only cup games like this one, but for any potential injuries to key players.
Ross’s side are off to an unbeaten start in the third tier and will be hoping to continue their streak against the Owls, but the task certainly won’t be easy against the second division side.
Sunderland picked up just one point in the two fixtures they played against Wednesday last season, drawing 1-1 away from home but then finding themselves on the end of a hammering when they were beaten 3-1 at the Stadium of Light.
19-year-old striker Josh Maja has had an outstanding start to the season, scoring two in two games and his Scottish manager may have wanted to rest the player for their game against Scunthorpe United on Sunday, but injuries elsewhere leave Ross no choice but to play the in-form man.
Sunderland do have plenty of options in other areas of the field, with central midfield currently the Black Cats’ strongest position.
Below is how we think Sunderland’s line-up against the Owls will look, with three changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Luton Town last weekend.
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