Sunderland have had some particularly poor form in recent months, and they aren’t helped by a slew of critical absences.

Jack Clarke, who had only missed one Championship game since promotion, was expected to be out, but the club’s readiness was crucial.

Of course, we were completely unprepared and have since suffered the repercussions of his absence, as well as the consequences of our lack of defensive choices.

Aji Alese, Dennis Cirkin, and Niall Huggins are still out, and we haven’t played Dan Ballard and Luke O’Nien together in nearly a month due to suspension.

This weekend’s match against QPR is big and will be a tragedy if we fail to overcome a relegation-threatened team, but our newest injury issue has left us in a tough situation ahead of the encounter.

With Ballard and O’Nien unavailable, the Sunderland Echo reports that Jenson Seelt is also a’major doubt’.

The Dutchman was our last remaining centre-back, leaving Trai Hume and Leo Hjelde as the most likely replacements.

Is it time for Timothee Pembele to get his first start?

Mike Dodds has sought to keep Timothee Pembele out of the lineup, bringing in Callum Styles against Southampton despite his poor performance against Swansea City.

We know Dodds loves to come across as a tactical genius by making unexpected changes to the team and formation, but at this juncture, all he can do is give Pembele his first start for the club.

The 21-year-old has struggled to impress, appearing in only 85 minutes of Championship action thus far.

I would rather give the “dynamic” defender a chance against one of the league’s poorest clubs, rather than Dodds adding another midfielder or winger to our defense.

Pembele hasn’t fully acclimated into life on Wearside yet, but his promise is undeniable. Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino have already included the Frenchman in their first-team plans at Paris Saint-Germain.

We should capitalize on his attacking strengths against QPR, especially considering our current troubles.

It might be a hard watch at the Stadium of Light this Saturday, but I don’t believe Pembele’s side will be the main problem.

Callum Styles has proven that he will never be a defender, but this time we have no option but to put him in that position. I wouldn’t mind if young Tom Lavery came in instead.

Read more on sportupdates.co.uk