Defensive duo doubtful for Black Cats

Defenders Phil Bardsley and Titus Bramble are major doubts for Sunderland’s home clash with Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester City.

Full-back Bardsley (thigh) and centre-half Bramble (Achilles/calf) both suffered injuries in the 1-1 Boxing Day draw with Everton, and with Michael Turner (knee) also on the casualty list, manager Martin O’Neill is short of defensive options.

Midfielder Kieran Richardson has not trained all week because of illness, but O’Neill is keeping his fingers crossed, while Connor Wickham, Fraizer Campbell and Craig Gordon (all knee) and Simon Mignolet (fractured nose and eye socket) remain on the sidelines.

Provisional squad: Westwood, Carson, O’Shea, Brown, Kilgallon, Laing, Egan, Cattermole, Richardson, Gardner, Vaughan, Larsson, Colback, Elmohamady, McClean, Meyler, Sessegnon, Bendtner, Wickham, Ji, R Noble.