Sunderland return to Sky Bet League One action this Saturday, taking on Gillingham at the Priestfield Stadium (3pm).
The fourth-placed Lads will play a league match for the first time since defeat in the October opener away at Portsmouth, having since claimed successive Papa John's Trophy victories.
Team news
Lee Johnson's team selection is bolstered by the news that Luke O'Nien will be available after suffering a rib injury which forced him off just minutes into his appearance at Lincoln City just over a week ago.
Niall Huggins will unfortunately be out for approximately the next three months with a stress fracture to the back, whilst Corry Evans, Lynden Gooch and Nathan Broadhead remain absent for the shorter-term.
Aiden McGeady and Leon Dajaku will be assessed ahead of the contest in Kent.
Opposition
Gillingham currently sit 19th in the League One table, having taken 11 points from their opening 12 matches, losing their last two.
Steve Evans' side have become a mainstay in the third tier in recent seasons, but despite claiming late equalisers in both their last two trips to the Stadium of Light, they fared slightly worse off against the Black Cats on their home soil last season - Gooch netting the second in a 2-0 win at the Priestfield.
Following the departure of Jordan Graham to Birmingham City in the summer, Vadaine Oliver has taken on the role of the main man at Gills, notching four league goals so far this season.
Around the grounds
With Burton Albion hosting Morecambe on Friday night at the Pirelli Stadium, there are scheduled to be a further 11 League One fixtures played out across the country on Saturday afternoon.
Among them, current league leaders Plymouth Argyle head to Oxford United having lost just once so far this campaign, with a tasty encounter between Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic in Lancashire. MK Dons head to Shrewsbury Town whilst Rotherham United host Portsmouth, and Sheffield Wednesday make the trip to AFC Wimbledon.
Tickets and streaming
Remaining tickets for Sunderland's trip to Gillingham went off sale at midday on Friday. No tickets will be sold in the following period or on the day of the match.
SAFSee streaming is unavailable to UK subscribers due to EFL broadcast restrictions, but overseas-based supporters can purchase a streaming pass here at the cost of £10.
As ever, extensive coverage will take place on the club's official social media platforms on Twitter @SunderlandAFC, and Instagram @sunderlandafcofficial.