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Stuart Jamieson

Portsmouth vs Sunderland injury news as Black Cats assess their returning stars

Sunderland and Portsmouth have contrasting injury situations heading to tonight's League One promotion showdown at Fratton Park.

The in-form Black Cats still have doubts over several players, with some big games on the horizon.

However, while Kenny Jackett's Portsmouth are still reeling from Saturday's 4-1 defeat to strugglers Northampton, they are at least boosted by a full squad to pick from this evening.

Sunderland head coach Lee Johnson is waiting for news on Lynden Gooch, with the US international potentially in line for a return following a calf problem.

The Black Cats boss hopes to have Ross Stewart, Bailey Wright and Tom Flanagan available to him again soon, with the trio expected to be back in training this week.

It remains to be seen whether any will be fit enough to be included in the squad tonight, however.

Jordan Willis, Denver Hume and Grant Leadbitter are all definitely ruled out, while the game could also come too soon for Conor McLaughlin, who is backing in training following injections to help with a hernia problem.

Portsmouth have winger Michael Jacobs and defender Haji Mnoga available again in a boost to Jackett.

Jacobs has missed their last seven matches having with a hamstring injury last month, while right-back Mnoga missed the Northampton defeat after picking upa groin injury that he sustained in training last Friday.

"Both Michael Jacobs is and will be included in the squad tomorrow, and Haji Mnoga. They are additions for us," Jackett told HampshireLive.

"Michael will give us experience and in a lot of our good performances and spells, he has given us balance on the left hand side as well which is a good thing. It will be good to get him back.

"We are pleased though to add those players because in terms of the balance of the team and the confidence of the side, they are players that can improve us."

Defender James Bolton could start after returning to the bench at the weekend.

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