Sunderland predicted line-up vs Millwall: New signing set for first start?

How might Sunderland line-up against Millwall at The Den on Saturday?

Sunderland take on Millwall at the Den this weekend and Tony Mowbray will look to January signing Joe Gelhardt in the absence of striker Ross Stewart.

Stewart went off with a season-ending injury against Fulham in the FA Cup last Saturday and Sunderland will now be relying on Gelhardt to provide the goals in Stewart’s absence.

Fellow January signings Pierre Ekwah and Joe Anderson could also be involved against Millwall, but Isaac Lihadji will have to wait till his work permit is finalised before knowing if he can feature.

Dennis Cirkin and Alex Pritchard could be involved in the capital after participating in training all week, but Lynden Gooch is “two to three weeks away” according to Mowbray.

Sunderland beat Millwall 3-0 back in December in their first game back from the World Cup. Since then Millwall have only lost one league game and now sit one place above Sunderland in the championship table.

A win for either team could be enough to lift them into the play-offs with Sunderland two points off sixth and Millwall even closer.

How might Sunderland line-up against the lions?

Sunderland predicted line-up vs Millwall (4-2-3-1)

Sunderland's potential line-up?

GK: Anthony Patterson – Had an inspired performance against Fulham and was unlucky to concede in the second half.

RB: Trai Hume – When Gooch makes his return in a few weeks he will struggle to dislodge the impressive Hume from the starting XI.

CB: Dan Ballard – Made a fantastic goal-saving block when Sunderland led Fulham 1-0 in the first half.

CB: Danny Batth – His partnership with Ballard is looking like becoming a formidable force.

LB: Aji Alese – Despite not training much over the past two weeks, Alese has started the last two games.

CM: Dan Neil – Has really impressed in a deeper role since Evans picked up a season-ending injury.

CM: Edouard Michut – Much like Neil, looks comfortable in the role he has been asked to play.

RM: Patrick Roberts – Defences are struggling to cope with him at the moment. On his day, Patrick Roberts is one of the best players in the Championship.

CAM: Amad Diallo – The chemistry between Amad and Roberts is there for all to see and when they are both on the pitch together. They’re a handful for opposition defenders.

LM: Jack Clarke – Took his goal well against Fulham after taking advantage of a mistake from Issa Diop.

ST: Joe Gelhardt – Set to make his debut after joining on loan from Leeds. He is also Sunderland’s only striker at the club for the remainder of the season, so much will rely on his hitting the ground running.

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