The Sunderland XI Ross is likely to play to beat Wycombe

[long_read]

Sunderland had plenty of cause for celebration in midweek as they booked their place in the final of the EFL Trophy.

A 2-0 win against Bristol Rovers in their semi-final was enough to send them to the national stadium where they will face Portsmouth for a rare piece of silverware.

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But now, focus must return to the league where they sit just outside the automatic promotion places and will be looking to break into them this weekend when they take on Wycombe Wanderers.

Just two points currently separates them from second-placed Barnsley, with a game in hand over the Tykes to their name as well, so manager Jack Ross will need to keep his players calm against the Chair Boys.

But who is he likely to start?

[snack_break title="Goalkeeper: Jon McLaughlin"]

He has been brilliant since moving south of the border in the summer and there is no reason Ross will drop him now.

Having such a solid, settled presence between the sticks will help enormously during the final months of the season.

[snack_break title="Right-back: Luke O’Nien"]

He was shifted to the left in midweek but expect Ross to put him back where he is more comfortable.

Signed as a midfielder in the summer, O’Nien has been very impressive in a number of positions and will be keen to show it against his former club this weekend.

[snack_break title="Centre-back: Tom Flanagan"]

The Black Cats most consistent centre-back will obviously start.

Since arriving from Burton he has been a cool, calm and collected figure at the back, something they had been lacking for a very long time.

[snack_break title="Centre-back: Jack Baldwin"]

With Jimmy Dunne playing the entire 90 in midweek, Ross is likely to switch it up for the league.

Baldwin has impressed and disappointed in equal measure so far this season so should be keen to grasp his opportunity.

[snack_break title="Left-back: Denver Hume"]

Hume impressed earlier in the season but has been laid off with injury since.

Now, he is back and it will not be long before Ross throws him into the starting line-up again, with Wycombe looking likely.

[snack_break title="Defensive-midfield: Grant Leadbitter"]

The experienced midfielder has been excellent since arriving back at the club in January.

He will surely start again tomorrow, if only for his excellent deliveries from set-pieces which have already lead to a host of goals.

[snack_break title="Defensive-midfield: Max Power"]

The partnership of Power and Leadbitter looked impressive in midweek so expect Ross to stick with it.

It has been a bit of an erratic season for Power but will be eager to prove his worth over the final months of the campaign.

[snack_break title="Right-wing: Duncan Watmore"]

Benched in midweek as he continues his return from injury, expect Ross to throw him in from the start tomorrow.

If the winger can get back to his best then the Black Cats will have a very dangerous weapon in League One.

[snack_break title="Attacking-midfield: Lynden Gooch"]

The American has been terrific so far this season.

With George Honeyman a doubt after being withdrawn through injury in midweek, expect Ross to shift him back into that number ten role in which he thrives.

[snack_break title="Left-wing: Aiden McGeady"]