Sunderland Under-23s can secure a place in the play-offs of the Second Division of Premier League 2 on Monday afternoon as we take on Stoke City at the Academy of Light (1pm).
The final fixture of the regular league season sees the Lads’ fate in our own hands, having won five of the last seven with a strong end-of-season run.
Elliott Dickman’s side played the reverse fixture against the Potters just last week, carving out a goalless draw at the bet365 Stadium, with us now sitting sixth – level on points with Middlesbrough – with that crucial game in hand despite an inferior goal difference.
Josh Hawkes – who has been nominated for April’s Player of the Month award in Premier League 2 – again starts for the young Lads, with Tom Flanagan and Jake Vokins also in the starting XI as they near a return to full fitness.
SUNDERLAND: Patterson, Richardson, Vokins, Wilding, Younger, Flanagan, Hawkes, Wearne, Harris, Neil, Trialist.
Subs: Richardson, B. Taylor, Hackett, Almond, Trialist.