New Sunderland signings in line for action

New boys Phil Bardsley and Rade Prica could be handed debuts in Sunderland’s Barclays Premier League clash with Birmingham tomorrow night.

The former Manchester United full-back and the Swedish striker, a £2m capture from Danish club Aalborg, may both figure against Alex McLeish’s side at the Stadium of Light.

Michael Chopra is suspended, while Danny Higginbotham and Grant Leadbitter (both broken toe), Ross Wallace (knee ligaments), Kieran Richardson (hamstring), Carlos Edwards (broken leg) and Dickson Etuhu (international duty) will all be missing.

Provisional squad: Gordon, Ward, Bardsley, McShane, Halford, Harte, Evans, Collins, Yorke, Whitehead, O’Donovan, Jones, Waghorn, Murphy, Stokes, Cole, Prica.