Tony Mowbray insists he will have no qualms about changing a winning team if he feels it necessary, with skipper Corry Evans available for tonight's trip to Blackburn Rovers. Evans missed Sunderland's weekend win against Wigan Athletic due to suspension after accumulating five yellow cards.
But the experienced Northern Ireland international is back in the squad to travel to Ewood Park, where both he and Mowbray are set to come up against their former club. The decision Mowbray must make is whether to bring the influential midfielder straight back into his starting XI, or stick with the players who performed so well against the Latics.
Mowbray was giving little away when he spoke to the media yesterday, but he hinted that he has no problem with making changes to a winning side, saying the needs of the team must come above those of any individual. "As the injuries start to come, there will be a big decision every week for us," said Mowbray.
READ MORE: Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray opens up on Blackburn return and contract issue that saw him leave
"You have to try and lay the law down early in that the team is what is most important, not necessarily the individuals. And while we all have egos - everybody has an ego in whatever job they do - you need your team to understand that the team comes before anyone's individual purpose.
"If I feel that we need to play another defender in this game then somebody will be frustrated further up the pitch, and vice-versa at home when we are at home and I feel we have to go out and attack this team and win and score some goals, so I play a different formation and leave somebody out who has been playing every week. I think we'll get to that point, and hopefully I will get the balance right in terms of explaining the situation and why the team is more important than any individual.
"Each game is different, though. I don't live in a world of 'keep a winning team every week', because modern-day football has changed so much tactically in terms of formations and rotations within the formations."
Following on from Saturday's victory against Wigan, Sunderland are looking to complete their first back-to-back wins of the season. But they face a tough test against a Blackburn side currently sitting fifth in the Championship, albeit only four points ahead of the Black Cats and having played one more game than the Wearsiders.
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