The Sunderland dilemmas facing Alex Neil ahead of Shrewsbury clash at 3pm

Sunderland welcome Shrewsbury Town to the Stadium of Light this afternoon with an opportunity to begin cementing their place inside the top six.

The Black Cats picked up an enormous 2-1 victory at Oxford United last weekend, with Anthony Patterson putting in a sensational performance between the sticks, that has put them in the driving seat to finish in the play-offs.

They are only in sixth, above Wycombe Wanderers, on goal difference but the Chairboys have played one game more, three points this afternoon would go a long way to achieving Alex Neil’s objectives for the season.

Here, we have taken a look at the dilemmas facing Neil ahead of the Shrews clash at 3pm…

Alex Pritchard

A favourite of Neil’s in his time at Norwich City, Alex Pritchard is set to return from a minor injury this afternoon, but in what capacity is where the dilemma arises.

Outside of arguably Elliot Embleton, Pritchard is the best ball carrier in the Black Cats’ midfield, although Jay Matete’s performance last weekend has something to say about that, and with the Shrews potentially sitting in a low block on Wearside, the former Canary’s guile and vision could be crucial in breaking them down.

Neil will be desperate not to give Pritchard too much too soon, to aggravate an injury that could see him miss the play-offs altogether.

Outside centre backs

Neil went with Carl Winchester and Dennis Cirkin either side of Bailey Wright in a very exciting, ball playing, back three at the Kassam Stadium.

Winchester is a specialist central midfielder who has played at right back a lot this term, and Cirkin, a young left back who signed in the summer, with Callum Doyle and Danny Batth in the squad, it will be interesting to see if Neil sticks with the trio from