Duo missing for Sunderland

Sunderland are without the recognised central defensive partnership of skipper Gary Breen and Scotland international Steve Caldwell for Sunday’s FA Cup third round tie at home to non-league Northwich Victoria.

Both are suspended for one game but manager Mick McCarthy has recalled Neill Collins from a loan spell at Hartlepool and has veteran defender Alan Stubbs available.

Dean Whitehead is expected to recover from a shoulder injury and while Christian Bassila has returned to training after recovering from a hamstring injury, the former Strasbourg captain will remained sidelined.

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