Jones and Richardson have both been sidelined with calf and hamstring injuries respectively, while Zenden has been troubled by hamstring problems for much of his time at the Stadium of Light to date.

However, central defender Michael Turner will be missing once again as he completes his four-match ban, and Bruce still has other fitness problems.

Keeper Craig Gordon is nearing a return from his broken arm, but Nyron Nosworthy (knee), Anton Ferdinand (ankle) and Andy Reid, Lee Cattermole and John Mensah (all hamstring) remain on the casualty list and defender Russell Anderson's contract has been terminated by mutual consent.

Provisional squad: Fulop, Carson, Bardsley, McCartney, Da Silva, Cana, Malbranque, Henderson, Richardson, Zenden, Campbell, Bent, Jones, Healy, Murphy, Meyler, Reed, Noble, Liddle.