Bent doubt for Black Cats

Sunderland striker Darren Bent is a major doubt for Monday night’s Barclays Premier League trip to Blackburn.

Bent returned from England duty with a groin injury and manager Steve Bruce is hoping he can shake off the problem over the next 48 hours, although record signing Asamoah Gyan is on stand-by.

Loan signing Danny Welbeck, who was ineligible for the game against parent club Manchester United, returns to the squad, while Kieran Richardson, Anton Ferdinand and John Mensah have all shaken off hamstring injuries and like Craig Gordon (broken arm), are back in contention.

David Meyler (knee) is back in light training but is still some way away from playing, while Fraizer Campbell (also knee) remains a long-term absentee.

Provisional squad: Mignolet, Gordon, Onuoha, Richardson, Bardsley, Angeleri, Bramble, Turner, Ferdinand, Mensah, Da Silva, Cattermole, Riveros, Henderson, Malbranque, Elmohamady, Zenden, Colback, Reid, Bent, Gyan, Welbeck.