Niemi and Diop back

Goalkeeper Antti Niemi and midfielder Papa Bouba Diop are set to return from lengthy injury absences for Fulham’s visit to Premiership bottom club Sunderland tomorrow.

Midfielder Michael Brown begins a three-match suspension after being sent off during last Saturday’s 3-1 defeat by Portsmouth but Simon Elliott is also fit to return.

Former Wales international midfielder Mark Pembridge, who has missed two days of training with an Achilles problem, and central defender Ian Pearce, forced off with a back injury during the Portsmouth match, are both in the squad.

Provisional squad: Niemi, Warner, Crossley, Voltz, Knight, Pearce, Christanval, Bridge, Rosenior, Malbranque, Elliott, Diop, Pembridge, Boa Morte, Radzinski, McBride, Helguson, John.