"Quality" 28 y/o returns, "massive" £5k-p/w gem axed in 5 changes to SAFC predicted XI - opinion

Sunderland will host Gillingham at the Stadium of Light this afternoon in an important clash for the Black Cats as they battle for a play-off position.

Currently seventh in League One after drawing with Lincoln City, just one point out of the top six behind Sheffield Wednesday, Alex Neil’s side must take their opportunity to pick up all three points from this afternoon’s clash against their 19th-placed opponents.

The Wearsiders have been given a huge triple injury boost with Danny Batth, Alex Pritchard and Nathan Broadhead all back in training this week and all in contention to start today, with the Sunderland boss claiming in his pre-match press conference that he will make a “late call” on their selection.

Neil also confirmed that Aiden McGeady remains unavailable, alongside Jordan Willis and Niall Huggins, who are out for the rest of the campaign.

With that in mind, this is how Football Fancast predicts Sunderland to line up against Gillingham on Saturday afternoon…

We expect to see five changes to the team which was held to a 0-0 draw against Lincoln City, with the Black Cats boss freshening up the side and the formation to accommodate for returning players.

After returning to training this week, we predict that 28-year-old Pritchard, who was dubbed “quality” by his former manager Lee Johnson, will be back in the team to try and inspire Sunderland to a crucial win today.

The attacking midfielder has offered up four goals and 12 assists in 39 appearances so far this term, and Neil will be hoping that Pritchard can trouble his opponents today by further adding to his goal contributions upon his return from an ankle injury.

With him returning, it means that somebody in midfield has to miss out, and we predict that Luke