Sunderland are sweating on the involvement of Adam Johnson in a Boxing Day clash with his former employers Manchester City.
The Black Cats' summer signing from City hobbled out of the action at Southampton on Saturday and Martin O'Neill is unsure as to whether the winger will be ready for an immediate return to action.
Lee Cattermole (knee) and Wes Brown (knee ligaments) remain on the sidelines.
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany (groin) could return on Wednesday after being kept on the bench as a precaution last weekend.
Striker Mario Balotelli (illness) could also come back into contention while left-backs Aleksandar Kolarov and Gael Clichy will hope to overcome niggles.
Forward Samir Nasri is out with a hamstring injury while right-back Micah Richards (knee) and midfielder Jack Rodwell (hamstring) remain on the long-term casualty list.
