Alex Neil offers insight into Sunderland team selection ahead of play-off final v Wycombe Wanderers | OneFootball

Sunderland are peaking at the right time, and that has given Alex Neil some very positive selection headaches ahead of their League One play-off final against Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday.

The Black Cats have been in the shadows for four seasons in the third tier, and are currently preparing for their second play-off final in that time.

With Carl Winchester, Aiden McGeady and Leon Dajaku all becoming available again, Neil has a lot to consider in naming a matchday squad to defeat the Chairboys.

The former Norwich City manager revealed his current state of mind on team selection when he spoke to ChronicleLive.

Neil said: “It can be as hard to pick who is on the bench as who starts.

“The reason is that the bench is a different kettle of fish.

“When I think about the bench, I’m thinking about the players that are going to impact the game, why they might need to impact the game, and what variations they can give me if I need to change things.

“There can be somebody who is particularly close to starting a game that then sometimes might not make the bench because, if I need to change it, they are not the person to change it, if that makes sense.

“That can be difficult to work out logically in your own head, and not only that to then explain to that player that he was really close to starting but that instead he is not involved.

“That’s tough to hear.

“What the bench is used for, in my opinion, is to alter the way a match is going to go, and also to make sure you have all your bases covered – if you lose your centre-back or your goalkeeper, there’s somebody there to come in and be an adequate replacement.

“Equally, when the game is not going your way, you need people who can impact the game in a positive way.”

Neil certainly has more angles of attack than Ainsworth, and has the ability to turn the game on its head with substitutions if things do not go completely according to plan.

An unchanged line-up from the second leg against Sheffield Wednesday is to be expected, but Nathan Broadhead will be pushing hard for a start.

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The Black Cats are rightful favourites ahead of the final, given the way that they finished the season under Alex Neil, and how impressively they got past Sheffield Wednesday at the semi final stage.

Sunderland will have the lion’s share of possession at Wembley Stadium, and the big pitch should suit them more than it will the Chairboys.

Gareth Ainsworth will call on the memory of the Chairboys’ 2019/20 triumph over Oxford United in the third tier play-off final, with supporters unavailable to attend due to the pandemic.

Wycombe put together an excellent run to finish in the play-offs in the first place, and will not lie down on the big occasion.