All the early Sunderland team news ahead of Shrewsbury clash on Friday

Sunderland will be looking to continue their push for a League One play-off place on Friday afternoon, when they host Shrewsbury Town at The Stadium of Light.

Alex Neil’s side go into that game unbeaten in their last eight, and following on from consecutive last minute wins over Gillingham and Oxford.

That run means the Black Cats will start the weekend sixth in the League One table, although they are only ahead of seventh place Wycombe on goal difference.

As a result, Sunderland will still need to take all three points from this one, although that could be impacted by the sort of side that Neil is able to name for this game.

So with that in mind, we’ve taken a look at the early team news coming out of Sunderland ahead of that meeting with Shrewsbury, right here.

One boost that Sunderland could be handed for that meeting with Shrewsbury, is the return of Alex Pritchard.

The attacking midfielder missed last weekend’s win at Oxford with a calf injury, but speaking after that victory at the Kassam Stadium, Neil revealed that he expects the 28-year-old – who has scored four goals and provided seven assists in the league this season – should be available against Shrewsbury.

Neil also confirmed after that game, that the half time substitution of Patrick Roberts, who was replaced by Luke O’Nien, was tactical rather than fitness related, meaning the winger should also be available against Shrewsbury, should Neil wish to use him.

However, it still remains to be seen if Aiden McGeady will play again for the club this season, with the winger’s chances of doing that still rated as “touch and go” following the knee ligament injury he suffered in November.

In defence meanwhile, centre back Jordan Willis and full-back Niall Huggins