Phil Parkinson is likely to have a better idea with how he would like to shape his Sunderland squad in the January transfer window after the next fortnight.
Sunderland got back to winning ways on Saturday, beating Southend United 1-0 at the Stadium of Light.
The result cut the gap between themselves and automatic promotion to five points, but it could be three weeks before the Black Cats return to league action, with a decision to be made on the Bristol Rovers trip, scheduled for November 19, based on squad strength after international call-ups.
Between now and then though, Sunderland have three cup fixtures to come, with the FA Cup first-round tie against Gillingham sandwiched in between the final two EFL Trophy group stage matches.
The games will offer Parkinson an opportunity to take a better look at his squad depth.
"There are players now like Dylan McGeouch, for instance, who has been unlucky not to get a chance," Parkinson said.
“The lads who played Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday, that has been a tough week for the lads involved with the travelling etc.
“So we want to use the opportunity to give the lads a game.
“The priority is the league, we know that, but when we come through the next batch of games then I will have a better understanding of the squad as a whole.
“That is key, we are getting to know the players and working with them in games rather than training.
“But that is what happens when you come in mid-season. Of course we are all looking forward to that week when we can take stock of the situation.
“But I am seeing a lot of good things, I really am, we have some good players and players with desire. George Dobson again was immense, Luke [O'Nien] too, we have a real good mentality.
“We want to improve that across the team, and we will do.”
With players like McGeouch set to get opportunities over the coming fortnight, Parkinson should get a better understanding of the balance within his squad.
Benji Kimpioka could be in line for some action too, with Parkinson desperately short of attacking options right now.
And with January around the corner, his planning for that, and what Sunderland might need, should become clearer. With fresh investment put into the club from FPP this past week, there should be some room for movement for Parkinson.
It could be clearer still if he is afforded an extended opportunity to work with the players amid a cancellation to that next league fixture. A lot could depend on Lee Burge's fitness, with Jon McLaughlin likely to be in the Scotland squad.
Parkinson said of the situation: "We have to make sure that we don’t go into that game too weak, everybody understands that and we have to make a decision which is in the best interests of the club.”
