Why Sunderland's game with Bristol Rovers could be postponed | OneFootball

Due to their EFL Trophy and FA Cup commitments, Sunderland currently aren’t scheduled to play again in League One until they travel to face Bristol Rovers on 16 November.

However, that game falls during the international break and there is a possibility it could now be postponed.

That’s because of the injury to Black Cats goalkeeper Lee Burge, who missed the last two games against Southend and Oxford United and isn’t expected to return to training until next week.

Jon McLaughlin has deputised in Burge’s absence, with academy keeper Anthony Patterson on the bench.

But if Burge isn’t fit again in time to face Bristol Rovers and McLaughlin is called up for international duty by Scotland, Patterson would be left as Phil Parkinson’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Football League rules state that teams need to have three players called up for international duty at either senior or U21 level to postpone a match.

Conor McLaughlin and Tom Flanagan are likely to be called up by Northern Ireland, while there is a possibility Benji Kimpioka will be in the Sweden U21 squad.

And Sunderland boss Parkinson has admitted concerns over Burge’s fitness means the game at the Memorial Ground may have to be moved.

“Looking ahead to international break, the goalkeeping situation is the biggest concern, and I think everybody can understand that,” he told reporters.

“One thing is absolutely sure, and that is that we don’t want to give an advantage to the opposition or to the other teams around the top of table where we don’t need to.

“Lee is still out with a thigh injury and I would probably say he will be another week, but until a goalkeeper starts kicking again you never really know.”

With national teams set to announce their squads for the break this week, an announcement about the fixture could be made very soon.