Sunderland face a difficult test as they welcome Rochdale to the Stadium Of Light on Tuesday night.

The Black Cats have enjoyed an excellent run of late which has seen them move away from the bottom half of the table and firmly into contention for a promotion push.

Despite falling to 2-0 defeat against Portsmouth last week, Phil Parkinson's side bounced back on Saturday as they recorded a crucial 1-0 victory over Ipswich Town at the Stadium Of Light.

That has moved the Wearsiders back into the top six and the hope is to kick on and push for the automatic promotion spots, starting against Rochdale.

But who will Phil Parkinson select? FLW writer Phil Spencer picks the team that he'd like to see at the Stadium Of Light.

 

"Phil Parkinson will be keen to keep changes to a minimum against Rochdale.

"The Sunderland boss has promoted consistency in his starting XI in recent weeks, and following the victory over Ipswich you'd imagine that he'll look to do the same.

"That means that Jon McLaughlin will almost certainly start in goal, while Bailey Wright and Jordan Willis will start in defence.

"Joel Lynch missed the victory over Ipswich Town due to concussion, and is expected to miss out which means that Tom Flanagan could keep his place in defence.

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"Luke O'Nien will continue on the right side of midfield, while Declan John's lack of match fitness means that Denver Hume is likely to keep his place on the left.

"Josh Scowen has been eased into the first team fold during the last couple of weeks, and he's one player who is chomping at the bit to come into the starting XI.

"However the second half performances of both Max Power and George Dobson against Ipswich Town mean that they've probably done enough to keep their places.

"Chris Maguire and Lynden Gooch were excellent for Sunderland in the second half on Saturday and so they're all-but guaranteed to start against Rochdale, while Charlie Wyke should also start.

"Wyke was touch-and-go to be involved against Ipswich but was declared fit after suffering with a shoulder injury - much to the frustration of Kyle Lafferty and Will Grigg, both of whom may have to patient once again."