Sunderland to assess players for MK Dons visit

Posted Friday, September 27, 2019 by PA

Sunderland boss Jack Ross will make late checks on a series of players ahead of Saturday’s League One clash with MK Dons.

Ross made eight changes for Wednesday night’s 1-0 Carabao Cup third round win at Premier League Sheffield United in which Joel Lynch and Laurens de Bock were handed debuts, but only one of those who sat out – keeper Jon McLaughlin – would have been available.

Defenders Jordan Willis and Alim Ozturk were missing with knocks, while winger Aiden McGeady is nursing a foot problem and midfielder Elliot Embleton limped off at Bramall Lane with a hamstring injury.

Ross was coy when asked about his walking wounded, some of whom were able to train on Wednesday, while he revealed striker Duncan Watmore could return from a thigh problem which has sidelined him since the opening day of the season against Grimsby in the Leasing.com Trophy next month.

MK Dons counterpart Paul Tisdale also made changes in midweek as his side performed creditably in a 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat by European champions Liverpool.

Tisdale rested keeper Lee Nicholls and defender Dean Lewington and used Russell Martin, Hiram Boateng and Jordan Houghton only as substitutes.

All five could resume as the Dons attempt to end a run of three successive defeats in all competitions.

Baily Cargill (ankle), Ben Reeves (leg), Rhys Healey (thigh) and Joe Mason (hamstring) were unavailable in midweek, while Jordan Taylor-Moore is close to a return from a knee injury.