It's been a busy week for Sunderland over the international break, and they'll be hoping to get back to winning ways in the league when they take on Wycombe Wanderers on the 19th October. 

The Black Cats parted company with Jack Ross after a slow start to the season saw the former St Mirren boss relieved of his duties.

Sunderland are currently sat sixth in the League One table and will be targeting a timely promotion back into the Championship after they fell agonisingly short in their efforts last season.

Charlton Athletic beat them in the League One play-off final at Wembley, which condemned them to another season in England's third tier.

But supporters will be hoping that they can go one better this term, and it'll be interesting to see if a new manager can get the best out of the current crop of players at the Stadium of Light.

We look at Sunderland's five best players in order so far from this year's league campaign.

Find out who has made the cut below!

5. Grant Leadbitter

Leadbitter has only made six appearances for the Black Cats, but he's certainly made a positive impact on their squad since coming into the starting XI.

His experience in the Sunderland squad will be called upon at numerous stages of this year's campaign, and he'll continue to be an important player for them as they look to challenge for promotion to the Championship once again.

He might not get through 30+ games a season at his age, but he'll be crucial to getting the best out of the likes of Luke O'Nien and Max Power in the Sunderland midfield.

4. Luke O'Nien

O'Nien has established himself as a firm fans favourite at the Stadium of Light since he arrived in the summer of 2018.

His hard work ethic is one of his main attributes, which is something that is always going to go down well with the passionate Sunderland supporters.

The 24-year-old is a versatile member to have in the squad having played in midfield and at right-back already this season, where he has formed to a consistently high standard.

O'Nien is a player with a bright future ahead of him and comes across as the type of player that could go on to captain the club if he stays with them for years to come.

3. Jordan Willis

Willis arrived from Coventry City in the summer transfer window and has certainly made a positive impact for the Black Cats so far this season in League One.

The centre-back is yet to miss a league game so far for his new club, and has been their captain on a number of occasions so far, which shows how highly-rated he is at the Stadium of Light.

At the age of 25, his best years are ahead of him, and he will know that the Sunderland defence will have to tighten up if they're to stand any chance of being promoted back into the Championship this season.

2. Aiden McGeady 

The experienced Irishman has been impressive when he has featured so far this season, and supporters will be hoping that he can find his best form for as long as possible.

There will have been some surprise from Sunderland's supporters to see him stay with the club for another season in the third tier, but he could be the player to drag them to a timely promotion back into the Championship.

McGeady has three goals and two assists in eight league starts, and Sunderland's new manager should be looking at building their team around the winger going forward in this year's league campaign.

1. Chris Maguire

Maguire is Sunderland's top scorer so far this season and will be keen to add to that goal tally as the season heads towards the festive period.

The 30-year-old has four league goals in his opening seven league starts but will be hoping that the burden on his shoulders to score the goals to keep Sunderland in the promotion hunt can be eased by the likes of Marc McNulty and Will Grigg.

He's almost equalled his goal tally from last season which stood at six league goals, so he's certainly showing promising signs for the Black Cats this term.