Adam Johnson could reportedly start for relegation-threatened Sunderland in the Black Cats' penultimate game of the Premier League season against Arsenal tomorrow night.
The 27-year-old has been charged with three offences of alleged sexual activity with a girl under 16, but is free to play after being bailed until June 3.
He will reportedly deny all charges against him.
Black Cats boss Dick Advocaat was impressed with the winger's impact after he came off the bench in Saturday's goalless draw with Leicester City and suggested that he could be promoted to the starting lineup on Wednesday.
"He's in the squad and when you are in the squad, there's always a chance you will start," PA quotes Advocaat as saying.
"This team works so hard and you have to fair to all of them, but Adam is a player who can do something different for us.
"His style is different from others, and you saw that when he came on against Leicester."
Sunderland's last two games are both daunting away trips to Arsenal and Chelsea, but if they pick up a point in either they will secure their Premier League safety.
If they lose both and Hull City beat Manchester United on the final day of the season on Sunday, Sunderland could go down depending on how North-East rivals Newcastle United fare against West Ham United.
Pascal Lemesre
