Black Cats may get Bent boost

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is hoping leading scorer Darren Bent could return for Monday night’s Barclays Premier League clash with Everton.

The 26-year-old has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury, but is back in training and may be available once again.

Danny Welbeck, who has partnered record signing Asamoah Gyan in Bent’s absence, is expected to recover from a tight hamstring, but John Mensah (shoulder) and Anton Ferdinand (hamstring) will be missing once again.

David Meyler is working his way back towards full match fitness following a serious knee injury, but Fraizer Campbell (also knee) remains on the sidelines.

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