Sunderland is hopeful Jack Rodwell will overcome the ankle injury that sidelined him in last weekend's loss at Manchester United, and be restored into the lineup against visitor West Ham United on Saturday, according the club website.
Adam Johnson, Adam Matthews, and Danny Graham will not feature, however.
Another player making a push for the starting XI is Jermain Defoe, after being an unused substitute at Old Trafford. The 55-time England international began his career at the Hammers, scoring on his professional debut in September 2000.
"It is a family club and at the time I had a lot of friends there," Defoe explained to safc.com. "From the first day I walked in it was unbelievable; I just loved playing football and loved training every day with my friends.
"(Fellow striker) Ian Wright was there at the time and used to stay after training and do finishing with him which was the dream. I had great moments and I will never forget them."
Defoe's manager at the Black Cats, Dick Advocaat, is feeling the pressure with the club rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table. The Dutchman walked out of the pre-match press conference after a series of vague answers when questioned about his future.
"Why do you always talk about if, if, if?" He asked the assembled media. "The fact is I am here today and tomorrow I am here. But what happens after that - it is the same for all managers. Things can change in a day, in a week, in a month, in nine months."
Anything less than three points on Saturday could leave the Stadium of Light board with a tough decision to make on Advocaat's future.
