The 27-year-old has not played for the Black Cats since injuring his ankle in pre-season, but will play in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Thursday, according to Sky Sports News.
The Scotland international had not been expected to feature until January, but he is several weeks ahead in recovery.
Bardsley joined Sunderland from Manchester United in 2008.
Restore Data
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd | 20 | 13 | 5 | 2 | 28 | 11 | 17 | 42 |
| 2 | Leeds UnitedLeeds | 20 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 36 | 14 | 22 | 41 |
| 3 | Burnley | 20 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 24 | 7 | 17 | 38 |
| 4 | Sunderland | 20 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 29 | 15 | 14 | 37 |
| 5 | Blackburn RoversBlackburn | 19 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 23 | 17 | 6 | 34 |
| 6 | West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom | 20 | 7 | 11 | 2 | 23 | 14 | 9 | 32 |
| 7 | Middlesbrough | 20 | 9 | 4 | 7 | 34 | 25 | 9 | 31 |
| 8 | Watford | 19 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 27 | 25 | 2 | 31 |
| 9 | Swansea CitySwansea | 20 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 21 | 19 | 2 | 27 |
| 10 | Norwich CityNorwich | 20 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 35 | 30 | 5 | 26 |
| 11 | Bristol City | 20 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 25 | 25 | 0 | 26 |
| 12 | Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds | 20 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 23 | 29 | -6 | 26 |
| 13 | Millwall | 19 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 20 | 17 | 3 | 25 |
| 14 | Derby CountyDerby | 21 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 26 | 26 | 0 | 24 |
| 15 | Preston North EndPreston | 20 | 4 | 10 | 6 | 20 | 26 | -6 | 22 |
| 16 | Luton TownLuton | 20 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 23 | 35 | -12 | 22 |
| 17 | Coventry CityCoventry | 20 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 25 | 29 | -4 | 21 |
| 18 | Stoke CityStoke | 20 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 21 | 26 | -5 | 21 |
| 19 | Queens Park RangersQPR | 20 | 4 | 9 | 7 | 20 | 26 | -6 | 21 |
| 20 | Oxford UnitedOxford Utd | 19 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 20 | 30 | -10 | 18 |
| 21 | Portsmouth | 19 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 21 | 34 | -13 | 17 |
| 22 | Cardiff CityCardiff | 19 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 17 | 30 | -13 | 17 |
| 23 | Plymouth ArgylePlymouth | 19 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 19 | 40 | -21 | 17 |
| 24 | Hull City | 20 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 18 | 28 | -10 | 16 |
| > Championship Full Table | |||||||||
