There is simply no stopping Jack Ross' Sunderland at the moment, after winning four league games on the bounce.

The month of October was simply fantastic for the Black Cats as they launched an assault on the automatic promotion places.

Ross' men have lost just one league game this season, and as they sit just three points off the top of the table with a game in hand, you have to say that they look like the real deal for promotion.

We are now approaching a key part of the season, and with the January transfer window approaching quicker by the day, teams will be strengthening in order to get better.

This means that Ross may have to take a few gambles, and here, we take a look at THREE gambles that Ross may be left red-faced about if they don't come off...

Bryan Oviedo and Aiden McGeady are just a couple of players left from the team that featured at a higher level, however, they have been playing a fair bit of football recently.

They may be good, experienced pros to have around the club, but they are bound to be on high wages and perhaps the highest earners at the club, which could be a downfall in January if Sunderland do not sell the duo.

There could be very little room to strengthen their squad due to limited funds, which is a risk they should avoid.

On the other hand, keeping Oviedo may be a smart move by Ross.

He may have been sent off for a cynical challenge against Peterborough United a few weeks back, but the 28-year-old was playing Premier League football only two years ago and is a class player at League One level.

Sure, Reece James hasn't put a foot wrong since replacing Oviedo at left-back, but Ross should look to put the Costa Rican back in the team sooner rather than later.

There's no doubt that Josh Maja will return to the team once he has fully recovered from injury, having been named on the bench against Southend.

The nine-goal striker was swapped out for Jerome Sinclair, who has been impressive for the Black Cats in their last two games, despite not finding the back of the net.

Ross must make sure that he finds a place for Sinclair in the side once Maja returns, as he simply hasn't done anything wrong.

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