Struggling Sunderland have received a big boost with the return from injury of full back Adam Matthews.
Matthews has been out for six weeks with an ankle problem, but has returned to training this week as the Black Cats search for a new manager during the international break.
Sunderland career so far
It's been a frustrating start to life on Wearside for Matthews after his £2 million move from Celtic in the summer as the now departed head coach Dick Advocaat went for the combination of Billy Jones and Patrick van Aanholt in the full back positions for the early part of the season.
Then when Matthews finally got his chance, he picked up a bad ankle injury in the League Cup win over Exeter City which has kept him out for six weeks.
Competition in the squad
The Welsh international is a natural right back, an area where Sunderland have a lot of depth, with Jones being the starter and Tottenham Hotspur loanee DeAndre Yedlin adding more competition for places.
Matthews proved in his time at Celtic, playing Champions League football, that he can be a versatile player and switch to the left hand side if he has to. This could be where his opportunity lies as van Aanholt has been arguably Sunderland's weak link this season.
What can he bring to the team?
The 23-year-old was a regular in Scotland where he has picked up winners medals so early in his career to provide him with a real winning mentality, something this squad needs within it. With a new manager set to arrive once again on Wearside, it will be a clean slate for everyone with the international break arriving at a good time to allow the club and the players to regroup after recent events.
Defence has been the real problem area for the Black Cats in the early stages of the season, with the back four conceding at least two goals in every game bar one - including against League two Exeter where they shipped three.
If this bad consistency prevails then it will only be a matter of time before Matthews gets his shot on either side.