Sunderland missed their chance to go top of League One on Tuesday when they lost 3-1 to Lincoln City at the Stadium of Light, and will be hoping to seize their second opportunity to knock Rotherham off the top spot as they travel to take on 11th place Accrington Stanley this afternoon.

The Black Cats manager, Lee Johnson, took to his pre-match press conference to confirm the return of a number of players in training after injuries and virus outbreaks.

Johnson told the media;

"We'll have more options [tomorrow], it's fair to say,"

"Obviously it's always touch wood in terms of the virus stuff, but at the moment it's nice to be able to welcome two or three back into the group."

The manager also added an update on star player, Corry Evans, saying;

"Corry is in good spirits,"

"We have got to be careful because at his previous club, he had a couple of similar scenarios in terms of going through the concussion protocols.

With that being said, this is how Football Fancast expects Sunderland to line up against Accrington Stanley this afternoon...

 

With three changes to the team, Ron-Thorben Hoffmann, Bailey Wright and Leon Dajaku return to the side for the clash in the North West on Saturday afternoon.

Fans will be happy to see first choice goalkeeper, Hoffmann, back in the side after conceding three goals at home on Tuesday night, the 6ft 4 machine, is returning from testing positive during a virus outbreak in the Sunderland camp.

We expect that Dajaku will also re-join the starting line-up after also testing positive during the virus outbreak at the club, Jack Diamond, who was hailed "powerful" by the Sunderland manager, is predicted to be axed from the team to accommodate the 20 year old's return, with Dajaku bagging four goals and four assists for the side this season so far.

Wright is predicted to make his return from his minor injury after missing the last two games for the Black Cats, and we expect that the manager will be forced to start the defender whether he wanted to or not, due to Carl Winchester picking up a red card against Lincoln City at the beginning of this week.

Johnson will be hoping that his side can secure their first win of 2022 and their sixth win of the season away from home, putting them top of League One.

In other news: Sunderland eyeing swoop for Cardiff’s Aden Flint