Having bowed out of the FA Cup in midweek, Sunderland are going to be hoping for a swift return to winning ways in the league this weekend.

They couldn't have been given a better opportunity, with rudderless Bristol Rovers the visitors to the Stadium of Light. They're in the bottom four and have been plunged into insecurity with the dismissal of manager Darrell Clarke this week.

Still, no game is a true gimme and Sunderland will have to be professional and organised if they're going to take apart the struggling Gas. It won't be as straightforward as the form book suggests, but if they're on their game they should grab all three points.

After plenty of midweek changes, we are expecting to see Ross revert to a familiar core of players against Rovers.

This is the starting XI we'd like to see Jack Ross go with tomorrow. Let us know your thoughts.

We're not sure he'll miss a game this season, certainly not through being dropped.

McLaughlin has been an inspired signing and is a safe pair of hands at the back.

Matthews will surely play right back, he's got experience to spare and has been assured in the last few weeks.

The midweek result will hit everyone hard and there's going to be some big performances this weekend to make up for it.

James has been hailed as a player who can play much higher recently, so he has a reputation to live up to.

He's keeping Costa Rican international Brian Oviedo out of the side too.

Baldwin was one of those sensible summer signings that relegated clubs often fail to make. He was the captain of a successful League One side last season and his knowledge of the league has helped Sunderland settle.

He plays whenever he's fit.

Flanagan has done well to not only cover for Glenn Loovens, but displace him with a a series of fine displays.

The former Burton man isn't giving his place up easily.

There's two holding midfielders for Sunderland, but as we think Bristol Rovers will go defensive, we've got Max Power in one of those roles.

They usually start 4-2-3-1, but with Power in the side they can quickly switch to a 4-1-4-1, which Marcelo Bielsa favours at Leeds.

Power is a top player, especially now his suspension nightmare is in the past.

The former Under-23 player will hold the midfield tomorrow, in the absence of Lee Cattermole.

He's full of endeavour and energy and will certainly occupy his opposite number, Ollie Clarke.

The first player in the bank of three behind the main striker is Lynden Gooch.

He's shone this season, showing his creative side and he'll offer a real threat on the right.

On the left of the attacking three is Aiden McGeady, the former Celtic and Everton man.

He's another of those big players who has shown a willingness to fight in the lower division to help the side out.

He's a constant danger and Bristol Rovers will have to find a way of keeping him quiet.

Maguire, like Baldwin, is one of the League One stalwarts picked up in the summer to add a certain gravity to the set up.

He's weighed in with some terrific goals and backs up the striker perfectly.

He is the boy in demand, the youngster who has found goals so easy to come by this season.

Josh Maja has had his break out campaign and he'll look to continue his rich vein of form tomorrow.