Sunderland are without a string of players for the visit of relegation rivals Wigan on Saturday.
Injury worries for both sides
Sunderland are without a string of players for the visit of relegation rivals Wigan Athletic on Saturday.
Injuries have deprived Black Cats boss Roy Keane of several first-team regulars as his side go in search of a fourth successive home win in the Premier League.
However, Keane will have to improve on Sunderland's record of failing to score, and losing, all three previous top-flight meetings with the Latics.
Kieran Richardson is among the players missing for the hosts after the midfielder suffered a recurrence of his hamstring injury in last week's 3-0 defeat at Liverpool.
Fellow former Manchester United midfielder Liam Miller is also out after picking up a calf strain on international duty with Republic of Ireland.
New signing Andy Reid is close to full fitness after a knee injury, while Grant Leadbitter could return after a broken toe.
However, Danny Higginbotham is still sidelined with a broken toe, and Carlos Edwards and Dwight Yorke are also out with a broken leg and calf problem respectively.
Keane is boosted, though, by the return of Dickson Etuhu after the Nigerian midfielder concluded his Africa Cup of Nations duty.
Wigan news
Wigan will be looking for a repeat of the performances which have seen the club beat Sunderland 3-0 on two occasions already this season.
A brace of penalties helped secure a convincing home league win back in August, while that was also the scoreline in the FA Cup third round meeting at the Stadium of Light a month ago.
Steve Bruce, who also faced his old United colleague Keane with Birmingham this term, could be without captain Mario Melchiot for the game.
Melchiot suffered a thigh injury during Holland's friendly with Croatia in midweek and is rated as 'touch and go' for the trip to Wearside.
If Melchiot misses out, then Emmerson Boyce or Ryan Taylor will play at right-back, although that will prompt a further reshuffle for Bruce.
Boyce played at centre-half, and Taylor on the left of midfield, in last week's 1-0 win at home to West Ham United.
Kevin Kilbane will continue at left-back, with new signing Erik Edman carrying a calf injury, while fellow new boy Erik Hagen is short of fitness.
Emile Heskey could feature after a back problem, while recent arrival Marlon King returns to Wigan on Friday after playing for Jamaica in midweek.
