Ahead of tomorrow's clash against Middlesbrough, Craig Johns from the Gazette has given a rundown on the best five (or six) players who we should keep an eye on at the SoL...
DARRAGH LENIHAN
Tony Mowbray's former Blackburn captain was brought to Boro last summer to add much-needed leadership to their squad, and he's done exactly that. While veteran midfielder Jonny Howson remains the captain, Lenihan is so clearly a leader on the pitch for Boro. As well as orchestrating the defence when out of possession, he's so comfortable on the ball and often sets the tempo for his side in the way in which he plays the ball out from the back. He's missed Boro's last two through illness, but I'd expect him back in the side at Sunderland.
HAYDEN HACKNEY
The England under-21 international is so often at the heart of everything positive Boro do. Making a rapid breakthrough in the first-team last season, he could hardly wish for a better mentor than Michael Carrick. He's spoke often about the work they do together to refine his game, and one of the notable things he spoke about was body positioning and being set in the right way to make your next move once receiving the ball. It's something that's so visibly improved in his game in the last 12 months. Hackney is the kind of central midfielder who can make Boro tick. He always wants the ball and will always look to be positive once on it, be that a forward pass or driving run.
ISAIAH JONES
Isaiah Jones burst onto the scene two years ago now and quickly established himself as one of the brightest young talents in the Championship. Quick, direct and tricky, Jones loved getting the ball on the right wing and making things happen. He had a really tough year last season after struggles off the pitch with his mental health impacted performances on it. Now in a better place though, he's been slowly building back to the form he showed when first breaking through. You can really see he's enjoying his football again.
RILEY MCGREE
Boro's Aussie talisman is in fine form so far this season and has five goals and two assists. Though he'll start from the left wing, watch out for him drifting across the forward line having been given the freedom to roam by Carrick. He loves to get on the ball and is regularly the link between midfield and attack for Boro. Show him half a yard in or around the penalty area and he'll test the goalkeeper. He loves a screamer.
JOSH COBURN/EMMANUEL LATTE LATH
I'm cheating a little here by naming two. That's because Boro have two very different number 9s, only one of whom will start. Whoever gets the nod will be one to watch though.
It's academy graduate Josh Coburn who has started Boro's last three. He's only 20 but developed so much in last season's loan spell at Bristol Rovers where Sunderland *favourite* Joey Barton labelled him a future England international. A striker who has instinctive movement, he's a menace in the penalty area and is good in the area. Since returning, he's physically grown too, meaning his back-to-goal link up play is now really affective.
Latte Lath on the other hand is a livewire. He has bags of pace, as he showed in his incredible goal against Cardiff on Tuesday evening. Not physically imposing but also not easy to bully in a duel, the Ivorian will look to be on the last shoulder and run in behind. He lost his place in the team after a couple of disappointing games where his finishing let down otherwise lively performances. But he has two goals in his last two games, so could be a good bet to come back into the side on Saturday in an attempt to stretch Sunderland's defence.
