Time to make the switch to play-off mode, says Cats boss

SUNDERLAND could be boosted by the return of three key players ahead of the Championship play-offs.

- CLIVE YOULTON

Head coach Regis Le Bris has suggested Dennis Cirkin could be fit for the trip to Oxford United on Saturday, while Dan Ballard is expected to be fit for the final match of the regular season, against QPR on May 3.

Another returnee is Romaine Mundle, with Le Bris indicating the winger might be ready for the play-match matches.

In the meantime, he wants his players to rediscover their intensity after their third loss in a row. Boos rang out at the final whistle as the Black Cats lost 1-0 at home to Blackburn Rovers on Monday.

Now Le Bris wants more, having named a much-changed starting XI ahead of kick-off, with team captain Dan Neil, Patrick Roberts, Chris Rigg, and Eliezer Mayenda among those afforded a rest ahead of next month's play-off campaign.