SUNDERLAND defender Niall Huggins is an injury doubt for Saturday’s League One clash with Wanderers at the Stadium of Light.

The full back limped off in the second half of the Black Cats’ Carabao Cup win at Wigan Athletic on Tuesday night.

Lee Johnson’s men ran out 2-0 winners at the DW Stadium thanks to goals from Nathan Broadhead and Luke O’Nien.

“I’m hoping it’s just cramp,” Johnson told Chronicle Live. “I think it was because it seems to have eased off.

"Him and (Dennis) Cirkin have to learn their tank because they're so willing and honest that actually sometimes, it's better just to support the wide man, but the pair of them are flying up and down.

"They must be murder to play against."

Meanwhile, Tom Flanagan is available for Sunderland after missing last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Fleetwood Town through suspension.

Johnson’s men are currently second in the league table, only behind leaders Wigan on goal difference.

The Black Cats have won five of their opening seven league matches, with their only defeat coming against Burton.

Despite making eight changes from the side that drew at Fleetwood, Johnson was impressed by the performance at Wigan.

“I’m really happy,” he added. “It should show how hard these players have worked in training that we looked so fluid.

"I thought the second half performance was outstanding. We had total control, and I hardly felt we were in any danger.

"It's now really difficult for me to select the team, and that's what you want.

"You could see some of the players needed minutes, but I thought we had a really nice blend. I thought tonight was a big game for us to keep that momentum going.

"When you concede in the last minute (at Fleetwood) it can become a little big negative, but I thought we were really brave with the way we played, and I think the fans appreciated that.

"The thing is, we can only get better - we haven't peaked, nowhere near. It'll probably take until game 15 or 20 because we recruited late.

"What I think it's proven is that it is worth waiting for the quality, and of course that a good pre-season for the ones that were here, because they can carry the others at times.”