Wycombe Wanderers welcome Sunderland to Adams Park in League One promotion crunch clash

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Following their relegation from the Championship last season, Wycombe Wanderers have put themselves in a strong position to bounce back at the first time of asking.

Firmly placed in the play-off picture, the summer acquisition of Sam Vokes from Championship side Stoke City has only aided their promotion push, with the Welshman’s seven goals this term seeing him top the goalscoring charts for the Chairboys. 

Gareth Ainsworth’s side fell to a 3-1 defeat in the reverse fixture back in August, but head into this game full of confidence with just one loss in their last seven League One matches.

Undefeated in the league since the beginning of November, Sunderland have built up considerable momentum heading into the new year.

The Black Cats top the league’s form chart, taking 13 points from the last 15 available, scoring 16 times and conceding just twice in that period. A victory for the visitors would see them go top as current league leaders, Rotherham United, are in FA Cup Third Round action this weekend.

A year on from his January transfer from Ross County, it is clear to see Ross Stewart has found his feet on Wearside, heading into the new year in inspired form. 

The 25-year-old, who netted a hat-trick last time out in a 5-0 demolition of Sheffield Wednesday, is League One’s joint-top goalscorer alongside Morecambe’s Cole Stockton with 15 goals.

Team News

Wycombe

Manager Ainsworth will be back on the Wanderers’ touchline after missing their previous two matches through self-isolation.

Whilst defender Ryan Tafazolli remains a doubt, forward Sulley Kaikai is unavailable for selection after being called up by Sierra Leone to represent them at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Sunderland

Sunderland boss Lee Johnson may be struck with limited team availability due to COVID-19 as a number of players have tested positive ahead of their trip to Adams Park. 

Luke O’Nien, Aiden O’Brien and Jordan Willis all remain sidelined with respective injuries. However, there is hope midfielder Carl Winchester could make a return for the visitors after recovering from a calf problem that ruled him out of their last two matches.

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