Black Cats duo doubtful

Sunderland skipper Gary Breen is a major doubt for the Wear-Tyne derby with Newcastle at the Stadium of Light.

Breen limped out of Friday’s unexpected draw with Manchester United with a calf injury and, given the swift turnaround, is highly unlikely to have recovered for the clash with Glenn Roeder’s men.

Rory Delap also looks certain to miss out after suffering further problems with his broken nose in the warm-up at Old Trafford, while Julio Arca (hamstring) could return.

Provisional squad: Davis, Carson, Hoyte, Caldwell, Breen, Le Tallec, D Collins, McCartney, Lawrence, Whitehead, Leadbitter, Arca, Miller, Stead, Brown, Kyle, Nosworthy, D Murphy, J Murphy, Bassila, N Collins.