Sunderland will be keen to avoid an FA Cup third round shock when they face non-league Barrow.
Bluebirds hoping to avoid the clutches of the Black Cats
Sunderland will be keen to avoid an FA Cup third round shock when they face non-league Barrow on Saturday.
The Black Cats have hit a sticky patch of late, going seven games without a win in the Premier League, and they will be hoping cup competition can help to spark their season back into life.
The Bluebirds enter the game unbeaten in seven matches in all competitions, but they have not played since Boxing Day due to the continued bad weather and could be a little rusty.
Sunderland news
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is likely to stick with the 11 men who claimed a point at Blackburn on Monday for the weekend encounter.
Bruce will once again have to contend with major selection problems with central defender Michael Turner suspended and a host of fitness concerns severely limiting his options.
John Mensah, Lee Cattermole and midfielder Andy Reid (all hamstring), Kenwyne Jones and Kieran Richardson (both calf) and Anton Ferdinand (ankle) are all out, while Steed Malbranque remains a doubt with a thigh strain.
However, there is better news on keeper Craig Gordon, who has been given the green light to step up his return from a broken arm, and he could be available again in a fortnight's time.
Barrow news
The biggest selection headache for Barrow co-managers Dave Bayliss and Darren Sheridan is between their two goalkeepers, Stuart Tomlinson and Tim Deasy.
"It's a tough call between them, both have their strengths and faults," Bayliss told the
North-West Evening Mail.
The only players definitely missing out for the Blue Square Premier outfit are cup-tied loan duo Craig Nelthorpe and Jordan Bowery.
Midfielder Andy Bond has a slight hamstring strain and striker Jason Walker a cold, but both could feature in the matchday squad.
Barrow came close to upsetting Middlesbrough, who were a Premier League outfit at the time, at this stage last season and will be hoping for similar good fortune this time around.
