The five issues Sunderland must confront after the international break

Next up for the Black Cats is a first vs second showdown with Accrington Stanley at the Stadium of Light as they hope to build on their strong start to the League One season. 

Now that we are just days away from the game, here are five burning issues that Sunderland must confront after their recent break from games.

Which goalkeeper does Lee Johnson go with? 

It's certainly a luxury of riches for the Black Cats. 

All three shot stoppers, Ron-Thorben Hoffman, Lee Burge and Anthony Patterson, pose a strong case for the number one spot between the sticks for Sunderland. 

Patteron and Burge haven't really put a glove out of place in the opening games of the season. But Hoffman arrives from the illustrious Bayern Munich and won't be prepared to sit on the bench for the majority of his season long loan. 

Is Carl Winchester now a full-back? 

He was used as a right-back in pre-season and it now looks like it's his position to lose. 

Following the defeat at Burton Albion, Winchester told the media that he's happy to play anywhere in Lee Johnson's side as long as he's playing. 

He even managed to get on the scoresheet as he netted the crucial goal in their 1-0 win over AFC Wimbledon. 

Winchester's repositioning was more out of neccessity than just a trial but given that there is only Niall Huggins that can play at right-back or left-back, the Northern Irishman may well have found his home in the Sunderland side. 

Do Sunderland have enough strikers in the squad?

Ross Stewart, or the Loch Ness Drogba as he's been dubbed by the fans, has been firing on all cylinders so far with four goals as he sits joint top of the League One goalscoring charts. 

The trouble is for Sunderland, what happens if he gets injured? Given his recent track record, it's not unlikely that he'll end up on the treatment table at some point. 

Aiden O'Brien will slot in as an able deputy and will be bouyed by his clinical outing in the EFL Cup as he walked away with the matchball after a hat-trick in the 3-2 win over Blackpool. 

But then what if he's out of action? Nathan Broadhead will be the only man standing. 

Moving on Will Grigg for a season long loan to Rotherham is a move that certainly suits all parties but at the same time, the Black Cats will have their work cut out if anything happens to O'Brien and Stewart. 

Will we see Corry Evans back in action soon? 

Evans signing in the summer provided assurance that there would be an experienced head in Sunderland colours ready to dig them out of trouble when needs be. 

He started the first three games of the league season and didn't look out of place at all wearing the captain's armband. 

But a hamstring problem has kept him out of action recently with the manager hopeful that the midfielder wouldn't be out for too long. 

Having missed Northern Ireland's games of the international break, the Black Cats will be hopeful it's given him ample time to make a full recovery after of another big run of games in League One. 

Will there be a resolution to Denver Hume's contract situation? 

The longer the matter draws on, the less comfortable it will sit amongst the fans. 

They've already been rustled by the fact that Hume has rejected what has been described by Kristjaan Speakman as 'a really good offer' and there hasn't been much of an indication that events will turn. 

Sunderland are now well stocked in the left-back area with the additions of Dennis Cirkin and Niall Huggins while Dan Neil can always slot into the role if needs be. 

Understandably, Hume is still training with the club as he recovers from long-term injury but once those troubles are behind him, will he be pressed to find a new club if he hasn't decided to sign a new contract at the Stadium of Light?