Sunderland have been given an injury boost ahead of the Papa John's Trophy final.
Grant Leadbitter will be in the squad at Wembley this weekend - keeping alive his hopes of winning silverware with his hometown club.
The 35-year-old dislocated his shoulder in the Black Cats' draw at Crewe just over a fortnight ago but has been back in training this week.
Conor McLaughlin has also been passed fit to play in the final against Tranmere Rovers after having an injection to cure lingering pain following a hernia operation.
However, centre-back Bailey Wright will miss the tie after a race against time to be fit to play in the final. Winger Jordan Jones and forward Aiden O'Brien will both face late fitness tests after picking up minor injuries in the midweek win at Portsmouth.
Jonhnson said: "We are slightly depleted but we are hopeful of a couple returning. Conor McLaughlin should be back if we need him and is selected, that's an important one.
"Bailey Wright is out so there's a defender, Denver Hume is nearly there but probably comes a bit too early for him this game.
"I've been very pleased with his movement and his progression over the last couple of weeks. I think that's it for defenders. Jordan Willis is out long term and so is Arbi [Xhemajli].
"We'll have a look at O'Brien tomorrow. It's matchday minus one so we'll try and leave it as long as possible and have a good look at him before basically giving him a fitness test tomorrow."
Tranmere are without top scorer James Vaughan who is set to have surgery on his knee injury that he picked up at Leyton Orient.
Otis Khan sat out of Rover's win over Southend with a hamstring problem and could be in line to return.
