Tom Flanagan is set to return in place of the suspended Luke O'Nien when Sunderland head to Rochdale tomorrow night.
O'Nien will sit out Sunderland's trip to Spotland as he serves a one-game ban following his sending off for a second bookable offence in the weekend defeat against Portsmouth at the Stadium of Light.
The versatile defender had been filling in for Flanagan on the left side of the back three for the last three games, first when Flanagan was himself suspended and then after he suffered an injury scare while on international duty with Northern Ireland.
But O'Nien's absence means Flanagan is ready to reclaim his starting berth, while deadline day loan signing Dion Sanderson - another centre-back - could be on the bench, with manager Phil Parkinson saying the Wolves man is available tomorrow after being given a week's training to get him up to speed.
"Tom feels fine and Dion has had a little bit more training time with us, so both are available for selection," said Parkinson.
Sunderland's reverse against Pompey ended their six-game unbeaten start to the League One campaign, and Parkinson may take the opportunity to freshen up his starting XI against Dale.
Meanwhile there was good news on the injury front for Parkinson today as he saw Elliot Embleton make his return to action after four months out with a thigh problem.
The academy product played a planned 45 minutes for the U23s against Fulham at the Academy of Light, and claimed an assist for the Black Cats' first goal as Elliott Dickman's side won 5-3 against the Londoners.
Parkinson said: "Elliot came through [unscathed] and did well, so I'm really pleased with that."
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