Sunderland are back in action this weekend with a trip to Luton Town next on Jack Ross’ agenda.
After overseeing a first opening-day win since 2009, the Black Cats boss will be hoping to see his side banish another hoodoo and pick up back-to-back victories for the first time since 2016.
Lynden Gooch was the man of the hour last time out, with the USA international heading a dramatic stoppage-time winner at the Stadium of Light.
Josh Maja was also on the scoresheet and the duo are likely to lead the line once more, as Ross’ injury concerns show no signs of letting up.
Aiden McGeady, Duncan Watmore and Charlie Wyke remain sidelined and Jerome Sinclair has joined them in the treatment room, with the forward, who impressed last weekend, ruled out for up to six weeks due to a hamstring injury.
Donald Love has also been ruled out for a month due to an ankle problem, but Reece James has returned to training, although he’s unlikely to feature this weekend.
Tom Flanagan, Dylan McGeouch and Ethan Robson remain unavailable.
Luton, meanwhile, began their League One campaign with a narrow defeat at Portsmouth.
Pompey’s Jamal Lowe scored the only goal of the game with 16 minutes on the clock, but the Hatters served up plenty of positives to build from and the frame of the goal denied them a deserved point on multiple occasions.
Nathan Jones’ side impressed throughout last season, with Town securing the second of three automatic promotion spots following a four-year stint in the fourth tier.
And with a capacity-crowd expected at Kenilworth Road, they will provide a real test for Ross’ men.
The trip to Bedfordshire will be Sunderland’s first since 2007, with the Lads’ most-recent trip to the Kenny ending in a 3-0 League Cup defeat.
But it was a trip three months earlier that lives longest in the memory, as Roy Keane’s side romped to a 5-0 win to secure the Championship title.
There will be no champagne showers regardless of the scoreline this weekend, but three points would make a good start a great one.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Tickets for the game are sold out.
SAFSee passes are available for overseas supporters, including seasonal and match-by-match options.
BBC Radio Newcastle’s Nick Barnes will be broadcasting live right here on safc.com from 1.30pm.
As ever, there will be comprehensive coverage across our digital channels including safc.com’s matchday blog and live updates on Twitter via @SunderlandAFC.
