Sunderland enter into perhaps the biggest game of their history this weekend as they look to secure a place in the Championship next season.

The Black Cats face Charlton in the play-off final, knowing a win will save them the ignominy of being the only Sunderland side in history to spend successive seasons outside the top two divisions.

They were relegated from the old Division Two in 1987, but bounced back the following year. other than that, their entire history has been spent either in the top flight or fighting in the level below.

Having invested heavily in promotion, Jack Ross will be hoping his side can come out on the right side of the result. They've been in the top five for all of the season, at one stage looking nailed on for a title challenge.

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Instead, an inability to turn draws into wins cost them and they're now facing the prospect of a single, winner-takes-all encounter with history at stake as much as anything.

Jack Ross has a few things to ponder before their final, which we examine below.

Striker troubles

Ross signed Charlie Wyke to bag goals, but he hasn't done that. he then went in for Will Grigg, hoping for the same. That hasn't happened either.

In two legs against Portsmouth, they managed a single goal and they've failed to bag more than once in a fixture since Good Friday.

That will have to change.

McGeady fitness

Aiden McGeady was their best player throughout the season, but having played for much of it with a broken foot he's a doubt for the weekend.

Ross will be sweating on that, he's their creative influence and that lack of goals is as much down to his injury as anything else.

Taylor regrets

Will he be regretting not going all out for Lyle Taylor in the summer? The striker chose Charlton over Sunderland and the scene is now set for him to either be vindicated or not.

Taylor has been a key player for Charlton this season and perhaps Ross might be thinking he could have tried a little bit harder through the summer.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing.