Chopra battling for fitness

Sunderland striker Michael Chopra is fighting to be fit for the Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester United on St Stephen's Day.

The 24-year-old, who scored his first goal since August from the penalty spot at Reading on Saturday, later limped off with a heel injury.

Liam Miller completes his three-match ban, while Nyron Nosworthy (hamstring), Kieran Richardson (back) and Russell Anderson (ankle) are closing in on returns, but Carlos Edwards (broken leg) will be out for some time yet.

Provisional squad: Gordon, Ward, McShane, Halford, Harte, Higginbotham, Collins, Yorke, Etuhu, Leadbitter, Wallace, Whitehead, Kavanagh, O’Donovan, Jones, Chopra, Connolly, Murphy, Stokes, Cole.