Richardson news a bonus for Bruce

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has received a double boost ahead of Sunday’s derby clash with Newcastle in the Barclays Premier League.

Left-back Kieran Richardson, who scored the winner in the reverse fixture two seasons ago, has finally shaken off the hamstring injury he suffered in the Carling Cup defeat by West Ham in September and is available.

Winger Ahmed Elmohamady is also fit despite suffering a foot problem in last weekend’s 1-0 win over Aston Villa, while Andy Reid (hamstring) has returned to training.

David Meyler (knee) has trained all week, but the game will come too soon for him, while Fraizer Campbell (also knee) remains on the sidelines.

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