ALL you need to know . . .
Ground: Stadium of Light
Nickname: The Black Cats
Manager: Howard Wilkinson
Position in table: 18th
Top scorer: Tore Andre Flo (six)
Last time out: Premiership - Sunderland 0 Blackburn 0
How they lined up: Sorensen, McCartney, Craddock, Williams, Babb, Oster (Arca), Thirlwell, McCann, Proctor (stewart, Flo, Phillips. Subs: Macho, Bjorklund, Kyle.
Selection update: Defender Phil Babb is a major injury doubt after suffering a slight groin injury in the 0-0 draw against Blackburn Rovers and is almost certainly out of the clash.
Midfielder Paul Thirlwell is also unlikely to play because his long-standing hernia problem is worsening with every game, while Michael Gray should return.
The real debate is over who will wear the goalkeeper's jersey with Thomas Sorensen and Jurgen Macho both available.
Last six games played: Blackburn drew 0-0, Bolton drew 1-1, Man Utd lost 2-1, Southampton lost 2-1, Leeds lost 2-1, West Brom drew 2-2.
Form guide: Sunderland have won just one game in their last 12 outings, which was a late victory over Liverpool just before Christmas.
They have won three times at the Stadium of Light this season, but have lost six times. Their poor form throughout the season has been compounded by recent injuries to key player s including captain Gray.
Despite a decent performance against Blackburn at the weekend they were not able to break the deadlock, the game ended goalless.
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