Managerless Sunderland will be without suspended midfielder Kieran Richardson for tomorrow's Premier League trip to Manchester United.
The 24-year-old picked up his fifth yellow card of the campaign in the 4-1 home defeat by Bolton, which proved to be the final straw for Roy Keane.
Keeper Craig Gordon is unlikely to be involved after aggravating his ankle problem on his return last weekend, while George McCartney (foot) remains a doubt.
However, defender Anton Ferdinand, who was left out last weekend, could return to play against his older brother Rio.