What lessons have been learned from Saturday? What have the honest and frank conversations produced? We’ll find out in a matter of hours as the lads are back in action against Zagreb. Hopefully, we’ll see a huge change in attitude and application, as well as our intent and team cohesion, which has been sorely lacking in recent weeks. Le Bris has been given a stay of execution – will he take advantage of it? We’ll soon find out.
Goalkeeper: Robin Roefs
Roefs can’t be happy at present playing in front of a team that’s continually leaving him exposed – he’s produced some great saves in recent European games and hopefully he has a good night tonight.
POZNAN, POLAND – 2026/10/22: Robin Roefs of Sunderland seen during the UEFA Europa League match between Lech Poznan and AFC Sunderland at Enea Stadium Poznan. Final score: Lech Poznan 1:1 AFC Sunderland. (Photo by Mikolaj Barbanell/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Defence: Thomas Meunier, Kevin Danso, Luke O’Nien, Dayann Methalie
Trai Hume has played a lot of football recently and with an international break looming that’ll continue. Meunier needs a game so should hopefully start at right back, while Methalie will start on the left. A good show from him tonight could see him line up against Chelsea. In the centre, we’re likely to see Danso return – Mukiele is still out – while O’Nien could play alongside him. The other option is Alderete, but he’s completely out of sorts and needs to be taken out for a while.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 28: Thomas Meunier and Malick Fofana of Sunderland celebrate after the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Sunderland and Brentford at Stadium of Light on October 28, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Midfield: Nilson Angulo, Granit Xhaka, Jules Ahoka, Chemsdine Talbi, Malick Fofana
Talbi’s inclusion in the squad is a boost and he will surely come into the team – I’d like to see him play in the 10 as he looked good there against Brentford. I think this is a game Xhaka ideally would sit out, but his form and the troubles the team’s having means he probably should play; hopefully alongside Ahoka, who can provide legs and energy around him. On the wings, we need to go with two proper wingers, so hopefully Fofana will produce a good display on the left, and Angulo can carry on his good work against Poznan on the right.
Jules Ahoka of Sunderland AFC advances with the ball during the Carabao Cup Round of 16 match between Sunderland and Brentford at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, on October 28, 2026. (Photo by Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
Striker: Wilson Isidor
We don’t need to risk Brobbey, so Isidor should get an hour after 30 minutes at Coventry – he’s more than capable of causing teams problems, as long as the set up behind his is decent.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 21: Wilson Isidor of Sunderland looks on during the training session on day ahead of the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD3 at The Academy of Light on October 21, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) | Getty Images
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