Sunderland are preparing for life without Phil Parkinson as they return to action on Tuesday evening.
The Black Cats took the decision to sack the former Bolton Wanderers boss after a poor run of five games without a win in all competitions.
That has seen the Wearsiders drop outside of the play-off spots, meaning that they have it all to do as the heavy fixture schedule continues.
Burton Albion are the visitors at the Stadium Of Light and Sunderland will be without a couple of key players for the clash.
Lynden Gooch and Jordan Willis are both set to miss the clash with the Brewers.
Willis has missed Sunderland's last two matches with a fitness issue while Gooch sat out the 1-1 draw with Fleetwood Town after suffering with an ankle injury.
Think you’re a big Sunderland fan? Take our 18 question quiz to find out
First team coach and interim manager Andy Taylor has revealed that both players are closing in on a return, but that won't come against Burton.
While a number of other players are battered and bruised going into the match it seems that Taylor will have no other fitness issues to worry about.
As quoted by the Sunderland Echo, he explained: "Josh Scowen has a black eye from Friday evening, but he’ll be ready. Aiden [O’Brien] should be okay as well, but he picked up a slight knock in training yesterday and we’ll assess him in the morning.