Third successive away match. Third straight sell out. We salute you.
Jack Ross’ Sunderland head to Doncaster Rovers this evening (kick-off 7:45pm) for an important Sky Bet League One clash backed by 4,000 fans.
Tonight’s trip is the Lads’ third straight away league fixture, and they will be looking to make it three straight wins following victories over Bradford City and Shrewsbury Town.
The latest one will have provided Ross with much to think about, following a host of inspired substitutions which helped take the game away from the Salops on Saturday.
George Honeyman and Lynden Gooch came on early in the second 45, and it was the latter who provided two assists, with third sub Luke O’Nien bagging his first goal for the club minutes after being introduced.
That stretched the Lads’ bright start to the campaign to just one defeat in their opening 13 league matches, racking up 26 points – seven off leaders Portsmouth but with a game in hand.
The Lads will be without Max Power once more as he serves the second game of his four-match suspenion while Glenn Loovens is the only other notable absentee, with Duncan Watmore progressing well at the Academy of Light.
Leading scorer Josh Maja has a slight ankle niggle but is expected to be fine to feature this evening at the Keepmoat.
For Doncaster, they sit sixth after just one win in their previous four league matches. Three straight wins had put them third in September, but a downturn in results during October has seen them slide down the playoff places, a point behind Sunderland in third.
Boss Grant McCann is likely to be without on loan Liverpool midfielder Herbie Kane while striker John Marquis, who took a hefty whack on Saturday, is likely to be fine to lead the line for Rovers.
Tonight’s league meeting is only the fifth ever competitive meeting between the two sides, with the most recent coming in the Checkatrade Trophy in October 2017 when Sunderland under-21s faced the Rovers first team.
Prior to that, the Lads have won both league meetings with their last coming in 1988.
DON’T MISS THE ACTION
Tickets for the game are SOLD OUT!
SAFSee passes are available now for overseas and UK-based supporters, including seasonal and match-by-match options.
BBC Radio Newcastle’s Nick Barnes will be broadcasting live right here on safc.com from 7pm.
As ever, there will be comprehensive coverage across our digital channels including safc.com’s matchday blog and live updates on Twitter via @SunderlandAFC.
