Sunderland are back in action tonight with a trip to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town next on the agenda (KO 7.45pm).
The Black Cats will be seeking a return to winning ways after tasting defeat on Saturday, but a number of familiar faces will be out to thwart their attempts.
BOUNCING BACK
A hard-fought display ended in bitter disappointment just a few days ago, as Cardiff City struck late on to seal a 2-1 win at the Stadium of Light. A slow start handed the Bluebirds an early lead but encouraging signs followed as the Black Cats battled their way back into the game and deservedly levelled. Lynden Gooch was at the heart of it, with the USA international surging into the box and winning a penalty which he duly dispatched. But what should have been the catalyst for a first home league win of 2017 didn’t pan out, with Neil Warnock’s side turning the tide before a defensive error gifted them a penalty. Like Gooch, they made no mistake from the spot and the wait for a Wearside win goes on.
HOME COMFORTS
By contrast, Ipswich have impressed at home and they’ve lost just one of their four Sky Bet Championship games at Portman Road. Birmingham City, Brentford and Bolton Wanderers have all fallen to the Tractor Boys at their home stadium, with Fulham the only side to take three points. Goals have also flowed for Mick McCarthy’s side and they’ve found the net on 14 occasions, and, interestingly, they’re one of two teams yet to draw a game in the league this season (Nottingham Forest are the other). Indeed, none of Ipswich’s last 15 league games have ended level. On Saturday, they were beaten 3-2 by league leaders Leeds United but despite a third defeat in four games, Mick McCarthy was encouraged by their display.
FAMILIAR FACES
This is the first meeting between the sides in any competition since January 2007 when David Connolly’s strike gave the Black Cats a 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light. Roy Keane led the Lads that day after replacing current Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy, who spent three years on Wearside. After leaving the Stadium of Light, McCarthy moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers where a six-year spell led to Portman Road where he’s been since 2012 – and he’ll have been pleased by the overall start his side have made to the new season. But he isn’t the only familiar face within the Ipswich ranks, with Martyn Waghorn making a great start to his time at Portman Road. And strike partner David McGoldrick will also be a threat, having been directly involved in three of Ipswich's last four goals in the Championship (two goals and one assist).
TEAM NEWS
Jonny Williams and Callum McManaman will be both be assessed ahead of the game after missing Saturday’s defeat against Cardiff. Grayson was impressed with Duncan Watmore’s performance against West Ham United under-23s on Sunday – his second outing – but he won’t be rushed back into the first-team fray, and Lewis Grabban and Paddy McNair remain sidelined. Aiden McGeady, who returned against the Bluebirds, will be hoping to return to the starting XI. Ipswich, meanwhile, will be without Flynn Downes but Skipper Luke Chambers, who took a blow to the ribs at Elland Road, is fit to play. Adam Webster is still unavailable.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
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Nick Barnes and Gary Bennett will be in the commentary booth from 7pm, with minute-by-minute analysis available right here and across social media from Twitter to Instagram.