It seems like the last five games will be used to build the lads up to full fitness ahead of the playoffs. The news from Le Bris’s press conference yesterday about the players who may return to fitness is a big boost, however we’re unlikely to see any of them today, bar Samed who is probably going to get minutes from the bench. The big question mark today is around Le Fee – will he start of get a 30-45 minute run out from the bench? With Jobe sitting out again it could be that Le Fee starts in midfield, although I would rather see him on the bench and come on around the hour as he builds up his fitness.

Goalkeeper: Simon Moore

Simon Moore will likely get a couple of games in this spell to ensure he’s fit if called upon, and after three clean sheets to boost Patterson’s confidence Moore could get a start today.

Sunderland v Stoke City - Emirates FA Cup Third Round

Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

Defence: Alan Browne, Luke O’Nien, Leo Hjelde, Joe Anderson

Trai Hume’s been carrying an injury recently, and we need to protect O’Nien and Mepham, so Hume and Mepham could sit out today with Alan Browne dropping back into full back and Hjelde in the middle. That means Anderson or Bainbridge could come in on the left.

West Bromwich Albion FC v Sunderland AFC - Sky Bet Championship

Photo by Stuart Leggett | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Midfield: Dan Neil, Enzo Le Fee, Milan Aleksic

I think we’ll see Rigg, Neil and Jobe rotate a bit over the next few games, so Rigg could sit this one out. We should stick with Aleksic today – he needs a good showing after a poor display at Norwich, while I reckon we’ll start Le Fee and give him 45 minutes. Samed should get 30 minutes or so at some point, probably in place of Neil.

Sunderland AFC v Luton Town FC - Sky Bet Championship

Photo by George Wood/Getty Images

Attack: Patrick Roberts, Wilson Isidor, Elezier Mayenda

Roberts should come back in today, while on the left it could be Mayenda – or him and Aleksic could swap with Aleksic playing more on the left. Through the middle, Isidor should start – we need to get him back on the goal trail.

West Bromwich Albion FC v Sunderland AFC - Sky Bet Championship

Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images