Sunderland take on Nottingham Forest at The Stadium of Light this evening, with both sides looking to bounce back from disappointing defeats at the weekend.

The hosts fell to a shock defeat to recently promoted Sheffield United, whilst Forest endured a miserable away defeat to an impressive looking Sheffield Wednesday outfit.

Tonight’s game marks the perfect opportunity for each team to get back to winning ways, and both Simon Grayson and Mark Warburton will feel confident in their side’s ability to win the match.

Both squads have some fantastic players in their ranks, and here at Football League World, we have compiled the best XI that can be drawn from the ranks of each squad.

Robbin Ruiter gets the nod in goal, with the experienced Dutchman just edging ahead of young Forest starlet Jordan Smith.

At the back, new Forest signing Tendayi Darikwa has performed phenomenally since joining from Burnley, with young Sunderland star Brendan Galloway, a loanee from Everton, filling the left side of defence.

In the middle the impressive Lamina Kone cannot be left out, and he is joined in the middle of the park by young gun Joe Worrall, who has quickly established himself as one of the first names on the teamsheet at Forest since breaking into the first team.

The youngster has the potential to become one of the finest defenders in the Football League, and looks destined for Premier League football.

In the middle of the park, we have Didier Ndong and Liam Bridcutt, both powerful midfielders with the ability to break up play and lead from the middle.

Ndong joined Sunderland for during their spell in the Premier League, and Bridcutt’s cut-price capture from Leeds was undoubtedly one of the deals of the summer for Warburton’s men.

Out wide is the evergreen Aiden McGeady, who Grayson snapped up from Everton this summer for a bargain price, and the player has already begun to repay the faith shown in him by his boss, who also managed him during a loan spell at Preston last season.

£630k-rated Barrie McKay fills the other flank, with the Scot taking to the Championship like a fish to water following his move from Warburton’s former club Rangers.

Behind the main striker is Duncan Watmore, although this was an extremely difficult choice.

The young forward has impressed since breaking into the first team during the Premier League era, but a number of Forest’s young guns, including Zach Clough and Ben Osborn were close to ousting the former England U21 international.

Upfront Lewis Grabban gets the nod, with the Bournemouth loanee already proving a hit on Wearside, with an impressive three goals in six Championship appearances.

Who do you think should make the Sunderland and Forest combined XI?