Aiden McGeady will miss Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie at Sheffield United.
The winger, who scored Sunderland’s injury-time leveller at Bolton on Saturday, will be monitored as he continues to nurse a foot injury.
Defender Jordan Willis is another player likely to miss out on the trip to Bramall Lane, providing an opportunity for new boy Joel Lynch to stake his claim.
There is also some doubt over Alim Ozturk, who dropped to the bench on Saturday, while Belgian Laurens De Bock is also pushing for his first senior minutes since signing on loan from Leeds United.
Speaking to the media at today’s press conference, Fowler admitted squad rotation is likely, with a number of under-23s likely to travel.
“We will look at a couple of changes, with boys from the weekend still struggling and Alim still has a knock too so we will monitor that,’’ he said.
“The squad isn’t massive at the moment anyway, so I think the boys who aren’t involved will be on the bench and some of the under-23s might make the squad as well.
“I think Aiden will miss out. I think he’s a definite.
“Jordan Willis is another who we’re just keeping an eye on.”
He continued: “That means Lynch and De Bock have got an opportunity to be part of the squad.
“We’ve been keen to get them involved, so Wednesday night will provide that for them.”
