Sunderland's Mick McCarthy hopes to have three stars back on Boxing Day.
Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy hopes to have three of his walking wounded back for their next outing - the Premiership fixture with Bolton Wanderers on Boxing Day.
The Black Cats do not play this weekend because their match with Liverpool was rearranged and the Stadium of Light boss will be relieved for the respite after overseeing ten consecutive defeats.
With a local newspaper poll suggesting the majority of the club's supporters are backing McCarthy, he will be hoping the return of some key figures will finally help arrest the slump.
"We've got too many players carrying little knocks," he told Sky Sports.
"The injured players should be back [for the Bolton game] - Stephen Elliott, Tommy Miller and Stephen Wright.
"That will help us certainly come Boxing Day."
Julio Arca made his comeback in the defeat at Charlton Athletic last weekend and produced an impressive performance.
