Sunderland head into their New Year's Day showdown with Manchester City with a number of injury woes.
Martin O'Neill is likely to be without defensive duo Titus Bramble and Phil Bardsley after they both picked up injuries during the side's 1-1 draw with Everton on Monday.
The former Aston Villa boss is hopeful that midfielder Kieron Richardson will be in contention to start for the Black Cats following an illness.
Manchester City will be eager to snatch maximum points at the Stadium of Light following a frustrating stalemate against West Bromwich Albion on Boxing Day.
It is thought that Sergio Aguero will be rested for Sunday's fixture, but defenders Micah Richards, who missed Monday's game, and Aleksandar Kolarov, who has been sidelined for a month, are back in the fold.
Current form:
Sunderland: LLWLWD
Manchester City: DWLWWD
Possible lineups:
Sunderland: Westwood; Elmohamady, O'Shea, Brown, Kilgallon; Larsson, Cattermole, Vaughan, Richardson; Sessegnon, Bendtner
Manchester City: Hart; Richards, Lescott, Kompany, Clichy; Barry, Y Toure; Silva, Nasri, Milner; Balotelli
Sports Mole says: 0-3
Danielle Joynson
