CONOR McLAUGHLIN and Tom Flanagan are set to go straight back into Sunderland’s first team at Doncaster Rovers tomorrow provided they show no ill effects from their international exertions with Northern Ireland.

The defensive duo both missed Sunderland’s 2-1 defeat to MK Dons last Saturday because of their international commitments, but are expected to take part in training today ahead of the Black Cats’ trip to the Keepmoat Stadium.

McLaughlin suffered a knock in Northern Ireland’s weekend defeat to Austria, but any fears of a significant injury were allayed by his appearance from the substitutes’ bench during Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Romania.

Flanagan was an unused substitute on Wednesday night, and Phil Parkinson will hope the pair are both at full fitness for tomorrow’s game with a Doncaster side that was able to rest up during the international break.

Parkinson is set to make a number of changes from the MK Dons game, with McLaughlin and Flanagan expected to replace Jordan Willis and Luke O’Nien in Sunderland’s back three. Willis was due to have an injection in his knee this week, while O’Nien was only pressed into action as a centre-half because of a lack of senior alternatives.

Further changes are anticipated in midfield, while Will Grigg is unlikely to retain his place in the team after missing a sitter against MK Dons.