McCarthy has options

Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy has no fresh injury worries as he prepares for tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership trip to West Brom.

Christian Bassila, an unused substitute in the last two games after returning from a hamstring injury, will hope for a recall – but Mick McCarthy is unlikely to make many changes after Sunday’s battling display against champions Chelsea.

Kevin Kyle (hip cartilage), George McCartney (tendon), Stephen Elliott (back), Stephen Wright (calf) and Chris Brown ( knee) are all close to returning to training, but will still be missing this weekend.

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