Sunderland recall duo

Sunderland recall goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen and winger Matt Piper to the squad for Sunday’s game at Highbury against the Premiership leaders Arsenal.

Both were rested for the seven-goal Worthington Cup victory at Cambridge in midweek but manager Peter Reid is again without the injured Michael Gray, Kevin Phillips, Emerson Thome, Stephen Wright, Jason McAteer and Joachim Bjorklund.

Paul Thirlwell is expected to return to midfield should Reid switch to a five-man unit at the expense of a striker, probably Marcus Stewart.

Provisional squad: Sorensen, Williams, Kilbane, Babb, Craddock, Bellion, Thirlwell, Reyna, McCann, Arca, Flo, Stewart, Myhre, Quinn, Piper, Kyle, McCartney.