Boss: I will keep ringing the changes

SIMON Grayson has vowed to carry on chopping and changing his side as he looks to find the right formula to end Sunderland’s winless streak.

The Black Cats’ boss has a clear idea of his best XI but injuries have so far denied him the opportunity to name that preferred team - and many of the changes he has made so far have been forced upon him.

However, he has also made some selection decisions out of choice.

At Ipswich in midweek he made five changes, including switching goalkeepers and bringing Darron Gibson into midfield in place of Didier Ndong.

Grayson admits he would love to settle on a starting XI, noting Sunderland’s best spell of the season - when they collected five points from their first three games against Derby County, Norwich City and Sheffield Wednesday - saw him name the same team for all three matches.

However, with results now going against Sunderland - the Wearsiders headed to Preston today having gone eight league games without a win - he says he has every right to make changes in a bid to stop the rot.

Grayson said: “I would love to name a settled team - there is nothing which would give me greater satisfaction than to say the team will be the same as in the previous game.

“What that would mean is everyone is available and you have just put in a decent performance.

“When you lose a game, I have a right to change however many players I feel I need to.

“We made a decision the other night to make changes and there will be changes again this afternoon with players coming back from injury and illness and also due to fitness issues.

“But yes, I would love to name the same team for four or five games in a row.”

Given a free hand, Grayson’s starting XI would no doubt include the trio of Aiden McGeady, Callum McManaman, and Jonny Williams, who have so far yet to begin a game together.

Lewis Grabban, out of action with a hamstring injury, would also be in his first-choice XI, while Duncan Watmore would also be in contention.

Grayson said: “I have a team in my mind, written down in my office, I would love to pick.

“I have not been able to name that team so far. Let’s hope I can in the coming weeks.”