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STARTING XI: Will Kyle Lafferty be a surprise inclusion in Sunderland’s side today at MK Dons?

Sunderland head to Milton Keynes today in a bid to win another three points - is this the starting eleven that Phil Parkinson will pick? Will Kyle Lafferty be a surprise inclusion?

Netherlands v Northern Ireland - UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifier Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images

GK: Jon McLaughlin

A clean sheet, finally! A well deserved one at that too. I wrote about how he was a little unlucky not to add a few more shut-outs to his overall tally this month, but McLaughlin’s performance in the second half of last week’s 4-0 win was superb.

He pulled off numerous good saves in the dying embers of the game and seemed determined to get that clean sheet bonus.

Big Jon looks back to his best, and long may it continue,

Sunderland v Bolton Wanderers - Sky Bet League One Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

CB: Willis CB: Ozturk CB: Flanagan

How about Jordan Willis’ assist for last week’s goal, eh? He’s been consistent during the tough times, but has really excelled in recent weeks and has even found himself marauding down the right wing at points - he’s really starting to show his quality.

In the middle of the three, Alim Ozturk continues to perform duties at the heart of the defence with minimal fuss, and the reborn Tom Flanagan will slot back in on the left-hand side after recovering from the injury he sustained last weekend.

Sunderland v Lincoln City - Sky Bet League One Photo by Chris Vaughan - CameraSport via Getty Images

RM: O’Nien CM: Dobson CM: Power LM: Hume

The title of Mr. Consistent is at risk for Luke O’Nien with the man on the opposite flank, Denver Hume, producing another superb performance in last week’s win over table-toppers Wycombe. Both of them are guaranteed to start.

In the middle, George Dobson put in his best performance of the season in front of the back four, whereas Max Power is looking better weekly. There’ll be no changes to this middle four this weekend, or for the foreseeable, if they keep up this form.

Sunderland v Wycombe Wanderers - Sky Bet League One Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

RAM: Gooch LAM: Maguire

What can you say about these two?

Since Lynden Gooch’s return from injury, he’s consistently drove the team forward with numerous terrific display. He currently has three goals in his last four games and has been probably Sunderland’s best player in the past month.

Chris Maguire may contest that, however, as another player that is now consistently producing outstanding performances. Maguire has four in four and, like Gooch, has been a focal point of Phil Parkinson’s attack.

If these two play and perform as they have done, Sunderland will come back from stadium:MK with all three points.

Sunderland v Wycombe Wanderers - Sky Bet League One Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

ST: Charlie Wyke

Lots of people’s choice for man of the match last week, the big centre forward tormented Darius “Our House” Charles and made the 32-year-old look like a child who’d lost his parents in Tesco - upset, and completely unaware of his surroundings. Charles has been the Chairboys best player this season too - so it shows you how good Wyke really was.

With new signing Kyle Lafferty on the bench, the former Bradford City striker will know he has to produce that form weekly to keep the Northern Irish striker out of the team.

Sunderland v Wycombe Wanderers - Sky Bet League One Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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