Sunderland face Everton on Sunday with both teams determined to get back to winning ways and bolster their hopes of a top-half finish in the Premier League this season.
Régis Le Bris and David Moyes both have relatively strong squads to choose form, but will be without some key players. Here’s the latest from both camps as we have it...
Ballard will serve the second game of his three-match suspension for violent conduct in the recent draw at Wolves. Sunderland appealed the decision but it was rejected.
1. Dan Ballard - out
Ballard will serve the second game of his three-match suspension for violent conduct in the recent draw at Wolves. Sunderland appealed the decision but it was rejected. | Getty Images
The experienced midfielder has missed the last two Premier League fixtures with a knock and Moyes has confirmed that he wont fit to feature this weekend. Could return for the final game of the season.
2. Idrissa Gueye - out
The experienced midfielder has missed the last two Premier League fixtures with a knock and Moyes has confirmed that he wont fit to feature this weekend. Could return for the final game of the season. | David Davies/PA Wire
Returned to training last week but didn't make the squad for Man Utd's visit to the Stadium of Light. Could return this weekend having trained again through the week.
3. Bertrand Traore - available
Returned to training last week but didn't make the squad for Man Utd's visit to the Stadium of Light. Could return this weekend having trained again through the week. | Getty Images
Everton defender will miss the rest of the campaign with a hamstring injury that saw him stretchered off in the recent Merseyside derby.
4. Jarrad Branthwaite - out
Everton defender will miss the rest of the campaign with a hamstring injury that saw him stretchered off in the recent Merseyside derby. | Local Library