Welbeck, Richardson, Muntari all subject to late checks

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will make late checks on a trio of players ahead of tomorrow’s vital Barclays Premier League clash with Wigan.

Striker Danny Welbeck remains a doubt after picking up a hamstring strain at Birmingham last weekend, while Kieran Richardson and Sulley Muntari (both calf) are battling against the clock to be fit.

Anton Ferdinand (hamstring) is unlikely to make it with fellow defenders Titus Bramble (knee) and John Mensah (adductor tear) already ruled out.

Striker Fraizer Campbell and keeper Craig Gordon both underwent knee surgery earlier this week and will be missing until well into next season, and Trevor Carson has been recalled from his loan spell at Brentford to provide the back-up to Simon Mignolet, who will continue in goal despite a poor afternoon at St Andrews.

Provisional squad: Mignolet, Carson, Onuoha, Bardsley, Angeleri, Turner, Cattermole, Muntari, Richardson, Riveros, Henderson, Malbranque, Elmohamady, Sessegnon, Zenden, Colback, Meyler, Gyan, Welbeck, Noble, Knott, Adams, Lynch.