McCarthy to stay faithful to losing side

Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy is expected to give a vote of confidence to the side thrashed 4-0 by Cardiff last weekend in tomorrow’s fifth-round FA Cup replay at Birmingham.

Joachim Bjorklund, sent off in the early stages for a professional foul, retains his place in central defence alongside Gary Breen, who makes a sentimental return to one of his former clubs.

Captain Jason McAteer complained of feeling unwell with an ear infection after the Black Cats’ heaviest defeat of the season and is a doubt.

McCarthy, however, must make a change on the substitutes’ bench as new signing Darren Byfield from Rotherham is cup-tied, but goalkeeper Michael Ingham is available again after suspension.

PROVISIONAL SQUAD: Poom, Wright, McCartney, Bjorklund, Breen, Oster, Whitley, McAteer, Arca, Kyle, Stewart, Ingham, Williams, Thirlwell, Clark, Smith, Thornton.