Alex Neil will be hoping six Sunderland players are fit an ready ahead of a crucial run of League One fixtures. Ross Stewart, Carl Winchester, Callum Doyle, Dan Neil, Lynden Gooch and Dennis Cirkin are the six players to have featured the most for the Black Cats this season, according to WhoScored.
League One top-goal scorer, Stewart, leads the way for the Black Cats having featured in 39 games, racking up an impressive 3,454 minutes of action to date. There can be no arguing, the Scot has been Sunderland's best player this year, with an impressive 22 goals and four assist whilst leading the line.
His form saw him called up to the Scotland squad for the first time in his career and the Black Cats head coach will need him firing if the Wearsiders are to achieve anything this season. Avoiding injury will also be key, no matter how key Stewart is to Sunderland they can't afford to burn him out.
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Carl Winchester has featured the second most for Sunderland, having played 2,930 minutes in a number of positions. Neil said: "I wouldn't even call Winnie a midfield player now, I would say he is a right-back for us, or a right-sided centre-back. He's really good on the ball."
Manchester City loanee Callum Doyle is the third most picked player for the Black Cats this season having played 2,928 minutes. A remarkable feat for a centre-half who has not long turned 18. The youngster certainly has a bright future ahead of him.
Another youngster who's left his mark on Sunderland supporters this year, is Dan Neil. There have long been calls from the red and white faithful for the midfielder to play more regularly and they've got their wish this season.
The Sunderland academy graduate played an integral part of the Wearsider's Carabao Cup run and has been a standout figure. So much so, that Premier League side Burnley are reportedly keeping a close eye on the 20-year-old who has played 2,680 minutes.
Lynden Gooch is the fifth most selected Sunderland player, clocking up 2,471 minutes across a number of positions. The United-States international is now considered a senior head in the dressing room and Neil will need him consistently at his best.
Rounding off the top six most selected players, is Dennis Cirkin with 2,359 minutes played so far this season. The former Tottenham youngster was highly thought of in North London and has enjoyed a steady breakthrough season in the senior game.
One notable point to take away, is how injuries have blighted Sunderland's season. Sure the Black Cats have a squad large enough to cope, which is one reason why so many players have clocked up so many minutes, but last season's star man Aiden McGeady, has played just 988 minutes this campaign.
