Sunderland are facing a fresh selection problem in the coming weeks within their goalkeeping department, Phil Parkinson confirmed on Friday afternoon. 

Parkinson, who has won one of three league matches in charge, saw his side miss out on a Carabao Cup quarter-final place on Tuesday after a penalty shoot-out defeat to Oxford United.

After hosting Southend United on Saturday, Sunderland have an EFL Trophy match before facing Gillingham in the First Round of the FA Cup, with the following week bringing up a potential headache for Parkinson.

Goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin is set to join up with Scotland national side the weekend Sunderland are due to travel to Bristol Rovers, and coupled with back-up goalkeeper Lee Burge's thigh injury, Sunderland look set to be short in the goalkeeping department.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's clash with Southend, Parkinson told the club's official media channels that he will sit down with the medical staff ahead of the Bristol Rovers game to discuss the issue.

With McLaughlin away with his national side over the international weekend and Burge potentially missing out through injury, the Black Cats are left with 19-year old Anthony Patterson to fill in in between the sticks.

It seems Parkinson will explore other options if the club are left with just Patterson for the Bristol Rovers game.

The Verdict

Sunderland fans will be hoping Burge is fit to play in the game against Bristol Rovers or their goalkeeping department will be short.

Anthony Patterson may well be called upon to step up to the first team but Parkinson may be hoping that he has a more experienced head around the club over that week.

Another option is of course the emergency loan system where Sunderland could opt to sign a goalkeeper on a very short-term basis to provide cover until McLaughlin returns from Scotland duty.