LEE JOHNSON is hoping a fact-finding mission in the inner sanctum of the Wycombe Wanderers camp will assist his attempts to engineer a victory over one of Sunderland’s likely promotion rivals this afternoon.

Wycombe visit the Stadium of Light looking to scupper Sunderland’s 100 per cent home record this season, and start the weekend a point ahead of the Black Cats after picking up ten points from their opening four league games following last season’s relegation back into League One.

There is some bad blood between the Chairboys and the Wearsiders, with Wycombe’s vote to prematurely pull up stumps two years ago and settle the season on a points-per-game basis amid the start of the Covid pandemic having been extremely badly received at the Stadium of Light.

Phil Parkinson was Sunderland manager at the time, and was furious that Wycombe made the play-offs while the Black Cats missed out, but as his successor, Johnson does not have the same historical baggage.

Indeed, he has a close relationship with Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth, to the extent that he spent time observing his managerial rival at work prior to be appointed as Sunderland boss.

“While I was out of work, I spent a couple of days in at Wycombe, watching Gareth and the way they work,” explained Johnson. “He had done the same with me previously on a Pro Licence course he was on.

“I think that’s a really good thing, and I’d like to think there’s a mutual respect there between the clubs. Of course, the battle will commence at three o’clock on Saturday, but at the same time, there’s a respect in terms of the personalities and also the quality of work.”

That respect means Johnson fully expects Wycombe to be one of the clubs challenging Sunderland for promotion come the end of the season.

They were surprise promotion winners two campaigns ago, but almost pulled off an even bigger shock by remaining in the Championship last season, with their relegation only being confirmed on the final afternoon.

“They’ve gained in quality from their last League One adventure,” said Johnson. “They were very brave and valiant in the way they played last season in terms of being unfancied in the Championship, yet very nearly staying up after a bad start. The turnaround was credit to everyone at Wycombe.

“I think this is one of our biggest tests, if not the biggest, so far. It’s a tough game. They always put you on the back foot and make it very uncomfortable for you to play your game. Then they’re masters of disruption as well as having quality in their ranks to be able to go and affect you. I think this is a real good test for us, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the players cope with it.”

With his side having brushed aside Championship opposition in the shape of Blackpool in the Carabao Cup in midweek, Johnson finds himself with some difficult selection decisions ahead of today’s game.

Bailey Wright is pushing for a league recall after impressing in both of Sunderland’s League Cup matches, while Dan Neil’s performance at Bloomfield Road suggests he is more effective playing in midfield than as a makeshift left-back.

Then, there is Aiden O’Brien, who has not started a league game yet this term, but who could hardly have done more to earn a recall in the week given that he claimed his first hat-trick in a Sunderland shirt to set up a Carabao Cup third-round tie with Wigan.

“What we want, is players in form,” said Johnson. “We want as many players in form as we can get. We’re not in the business as coaches of drowning players and making them not feel good about themselves. We want all of our players on form, whether they’re ten years old and in the Under-11s or whether they’re 37 and playing the last game of their career.

“It’s very positive when we can perform as well as we have, and when individuals are in form, like they are.”

Wycombe could include new signing Brandon Hanlan in their side, with the striker having joined from Bristol Rovers this week. The 24-year-old has signed a three-year deal at Adams Park.

Ainsworth will assess captain Matt Bloomfield after a lengthy spell on the sidelines following a concussion.

Sunderland (probable, 4-3-3): Patterson; Winchester, Flanagan, Doyle, Neil; Embleton, O’Nien, Pritchard; O’Brien, Stewart, McGeady.