Régis Le Bris has some major decisions to make as Sunderland face Roberto De Zerbi’s Spurs at the Stadium of Light on Sunday afternoon (2pm kick off).
Much will depend on how much the injury situation at the club has improved, with the Sunderland head coach set to issue an update at his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon. Here, we take an early look at what the starting XI and bench could look like as Sunderland look to start the final stretch of the campaign with three crucial points...
The initial assessment of Roefs' hamstring injury a month ago was that the issue was not that serious, and so the three weeks of recovery time since the derby should hopefully be enough to see him return.
To his credit, Melker Ellborg has deputised well under pressure and played his part in some important results.
1. GK - Robin Roefs
The initial assessment of Roefs' hamstring injury a month ago was that the issue was not that serious, and so the three weeks of recovery time since the derby should hopefully be enough to see him return. To his credit, Melker Ellborg has deputised well under pressure and played his part in some important results. | Getty Images
Mukiele returned to the bench for the Tyne-Wear derby but Sunderland opted to take a cautious approach. Three weeks of recovery and training time should mean he can play a bigger part here - and he's a very difficult player to leave out when fit.
Geertruida and Hume represent two very strong options for Le Bris, though, and so he doesn't need to take any risks whatsoever.
2. RB - Nordi Mukiele
Mukiele returned to the bench for the Tyne-Wear derby but Sunderland opted to take a cautious approach. Three weeks of recovery and training time should mean he can play a bigger part here - and he's a very difficult player to leave out when fit. Geertruida and Hume represent two very strong options for Le Bris, though, and so he doesn't need to take any risks whatsoever. | Getty Images
Sunderland will hope Dan Ballard is back from a hamstring issue having had a month to recover since the Brighton game, but Mukiele's return means there is no need to take any risks.
One option Le Bris has is to bring back Mukiele in the heart of defence, but there's a strong case for continuing with O'Nien who was so impressive in the second half at Newcastle.
3. CB - Luke O'Nien
Sunderland will hope Dan Ballard is back from a hamstring issue having had a month to recover since the Brighton game, but Mukiele's return means there is no need to take any risks. One option Le Bris has is to bring back Mukiele in the heart of defence, but there's a strong case for continuing with O'Nien who was so impressive in the second half at Newcastle. | Getty Images
Has roared back from a slight dip in form around the turn of the year with some top-class displays in recent weeks. A massive part of some very important results for Sunderland at a tricky time in their season in terms of injuries.
4. CB - Omar Alderete
Has roared back from a slight dip in form around the turn of the year with some top-class displays in recent weeks. A massive part of some very important results for Sunderland at a tricky time in their season in terms of injuries. | Chris Fryatt