Birmingham City are going through a difficult period following the controversial decision to replace popular head coach John Eustace with Wayne Rooney, but Mowbray has his own concerns following the 0-0 draw with Swansea City.
So, what’s the latest injury and team news, who’ll be out on Saturday and who could still play?
MAYENDA, ELIEZER
Mayenda is back to full strength after training with the senior squad last week and traveling to Swansea City over the weekend. The striker just missed out on the squad, with Mowbray having to strike a difficult balance between giving the youngster minutes after such a long absence and giving him the opportunities he needs to kickstart his Sunderland career. Given that there are a couple of vacancies following the draw with Swansea City, it appears highly likely that he will be named to the bench this weekend. Any debut would most likely be limited to a few minutes late in the game, with the international break following a good opportunity to sharpen his skills.
BALLARD, DAN
Ballard received a yellow card in the second half of Swansea City’s 0-0 draw, ruling him out of Birmingham City’s visit. Mowbray is likely to turn to Jenson Seelt, who he has preferred to Nectar Triantis in recent squads and who came on after Dan Neil was sent off against Middlesbrough last month. It’s a big test for Seelt, but it’s also a big opportunity – Ballard has been in outstanding form this season, and it was only an injury or suspension that would have opened the door for Seelt.
LUKE OWEN
Mowbray was already concerned about losing Ballard when he saw O’Nien receive his fifth yellow card for a foul on Jamal Lowe during stoppage time on Saturday. Mowbray was irritated with both, believing that given Sunderland’s extra player, neither should be put in a position where they needed to take a booking. While Seelt appears to be a certainty, it remains to be seen whether Mowbray will take the risk of bringing in Triantis and going with two players making their Championship debuts. The other option is to bring in Dennis Cirkin and move Trai Hume infield, or to use both in a back three. Regardless, Triantis will almost certainly return to the squad.
JAI ALESE
The absence of both O’Nien and Ballard raises the possibility of Aji Alese being brought back ahead of schedule, but this is extremely unlikely. Alese has only recently returned to first-team training after suffering a minor setback during the last international break, and he has yet to play any competitive minutes. Sunderland are also keen to avoid a repeat of last season, when Alese was rushed back in the midst of a defensive crisis to play in the second leg of the play-off semi-final against Luton Town. The defender suffered a recurrence of the thigh injury that had kept him out for the majority of the season up to that point, a decision which the club are still feeling the consequences of now. They’ll take their time with Alese, and slowly integrate him into the squad after the international break.
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