Gardner back for Black Cats

Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill will welcome Craig Gardner back from suspension for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with West Brom.

The 25-year-old, who has played at both full-back and in midfield this season, is available again after serving a one-match ban for reaching five bookings.

O’Neill admitted “one or two” players are battling against knocks, but declined to name them, but midfielder Lee Cattermole (knee) and full-back Phil Bardsley (hamstring) returned to action in the 3-1 win at Fulham on Sunday, while keeper Keiren Westwood (thigh) was able to take a seat on the bench.

Provisional squad: Mignolet, Westwood, Bardsley, O’Shea, Kilgallon, Cuellar, Bramble, Rose, Cattermole, Gardner, Colback, McClean, Larsson, Sessegnon, Saha, Fletcher, Campbell, Wickham, McFadden.