Sunderland are facing a tricky clash as they take on Swindon Town this evening.

The Black Cats have enjoyed an excellent 2021 so far and have lost just one fixture in all competitions since the middle of January.

That sequence of results has seen the club propel themselves firmly into play-off contention, with the team now even having an outside chance of pushing for the top two.

Sunderland did, however, drop points against Crewe Alexandra at the weekend and so the focus for the Wearsiders will be on getting back to winning ways against Swindon.

But what are the dilemmas that are facing Lee Johnson? We take a look.

Limited options in defence

Lee Johnson can have no complaints with his side's performances of late, but I'm sure he'd like to give some players a rest.

Injuries to the likes of Denver Hume, Bailey Wright and Tom Flanagan mean that Sunderland are particularly stretched in defence which means that the Black Cats' boss has little choice but to stick with the current combination of players that are lining up at the back.

Barring a tactical gamble it seems that Conor McLaughlin, Dion Sanderson and Luke O'Nien will continue at centre-back, but if another injury strikes then he could have a problem.

 

 

Replacing Grant Leadbitter

Sunderland's talisman was dealt a nasty blow against Crewe Alexandra after dislocating his shoulder.

That will see Leadbitter ruled out for a significant period which means that Lee Johnson will have some decisions to make in central midfield.

You'd imagine that Max Power and Josh Scowen will be his preferred options, but with Carl Winchester lacking in match action right now he may be afforded more playing time in the coming weeks.

Finding a spot for Jordan Jones

He was the man who saved Sunderland against Crewe, but Jordan Jones can't crack the starting XI.

Lee Johnson has stuck with Aiden McGeady, Charlie Wyke and Aiden O'Brien in his offensive positions, meaning that opportunities have been hard to come by for the Rangers man.

Given the level of his performance at the weekend there's no doubt that Jones deserves to start against Swindon but the challenge will be on deciding who he will replace in the side.