Black Cats' Bramble and Turner to start lengthy lay-off

Sunderland will begin a lengthy spell without defenders Titus Bramble and Michael Turner at Wolves tomorrow.

Bramble underwent surgery on a damaged knee cartilage yesterday and is facing at least six weeks on the sidelines, while Turner could be out for three months with a knee ligament injury.

John Mensah is set to partner Anton Ferdinand in central defence despite still recovering from a dislocated shoulder, while striker Asamoah Gyan has returned to training after missing Monday night’s 2-2 Barclays Premier League draw with Everton because of a thigh strain.

David Meyler (knee) is working his way back towards full match fitness, but Fraizer Campbell (also knee) is still out.

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