McClean in contention for Black Cats return

Sunderland winger James McClean will be in contention for a derby return against Newcastle on Sunday after shaking off a groin injury.

The 23-year-old was ruled out of the Republic of Ireland’s 6-1 defeat by Germany with a groin problem, but manager Martin O’Neill has revealed he could have been available for Tuesday’s trip to the Faroe Islands if required.

Full-back Phil Bardsley could also make the squad after returning to action for the Under-21s side following an ankle injury which has sidelined him since pre-season, but defender Titus Bramble is a doubt with a hip flexor problem and skipper Lee Cattermole completes his three-match ban.

Provisional squad: Mignolet, Westwood, Bardsley, O’Shea, Kilgallon, Cuellar, Rose, Egan, Gardner, Colback, McClean, Larsson, Sessegnon, Meyler, Saha, Fletcher, Campbell, Wickham, Ji.