Bassila misses out again

Sunderland midfielder Christian Bassila is likely to be missing for the Barclays Premiership to Fulham tomorrow after damaging a hamstring in training.

The Frenchman missed yesterday’s 1-0 home defeat by Everton with the injury and is not expected to recover in time for the game at Craven Cottage.

Skipper Gary Breen will be available despite picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against the Toffees, but will miss next weekend’s FA Cup clash with Northwich Victoria, while Stephen Elliott (back), Stephen Wright (calf) and Chris Brown (ankle) are still out.

Provisional squad: Davis, Alnwick, Nosworthy, Hoyte, D Collins, Caldwell, Breen, Stubbs, Whitehead, Arca, Lawrence, Miller, Woods, Gray, Stead, Le Tallec, D Murphy.