O'Shea in contention for Sunderland return

John O’Shea could return to bolster Sunderland’s defence against Stoke on Sunday.

The Republic of Ireland defender missed the defeat by Chelsea due to a calf strain but has returned to training.

Nicklas Bendtner is likely lead the attack and Connor Wickham could make his first start.

Craig Gordon, Fraizer Campbell and David Meyler (all knee) remain sidelined.

Provisional squad: Mignolet, Westwood, Bardsley, Brown, O’Shea, Richardson, Turner, Bramble, Laing, Cattermole, Gardner, Vaughan, Colback, Elmohamady, Bendtner, Sessegnon, Wickham, Ji, Cook.