Two of the Championship newbies take eachother on Saturday as 13th place Sunderland host 9th place Wigan Athletic.
Sunderland will be looking for their first win in four matches, coming off the back of a 2-1 defeat to Swansea last weekend.
Wigan will be full of confidence after they beat Lancashire rivals Blackburn Rovers 1-0 on Tuesday night, courtesy of a goal by former Sunderland loanee Nathan Broadhead.
Broadhead will be the topic of conversation on Wearside Saturday, after his transfer saga that dominated headlines in the summer – the 24-year old opting to join the ‘tics after Sunderland’s away win at Bristol City, in which both strikers scored.
Team News
Sunderland will welcome Dennis Cirkin from injury, the defender could make his first appearance since the start of September. Corry Evans is suspended due to picking up a yellow card against Swansea. This could mean a first Sunderland start for Abdoullah Ba or Edouard Michut in the middle of the park.
Nine first team players appeared for Sunderland’s Under-21 side against Leeds United on Monday night, picking up valuable minutes.
In his press conference on Thursday morning, Tony Mowbray told local media that striker Ellis Simms is close to making a return.
“[Ellis] got his boots back on this morning which is a good sign.
“We’re hoping he’s not too far away now"
Wigan came through Tuesday’s game and there will be few changes in the away dressing room. Charlie Wyke continues to defy expectation, he has now won back his starting position after recovering from his heart attack during training last November.
With a plethora of ex-Sunderland players, Wigan will sure be fired up at the weekend, and will be looking for revenge after the Black Cats beat them three times last season in all competitions.
Comments