Sunderland host Newcastle United on Sunday with the knowledge that a win at the Stadium of Light will see them leapfrog their rivals in the Premier League table.
Sunderland's 3-0 defeat to Manchester City was their first loss of the season but manager Martin O'Neill may decide to retain faith in his starting lineup from that match.
One possible change may see Titus Bramble replace Danny Rose, who has been at the centre of the racism controversy that surrounded the England Under-21s match in Serbia on Tuesday night.
Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor could hand Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew a boost if they return from injury.
Both were absent for Newcastle's 3-0 defeat to Manchester United and their return could see a defensive reshuffle with Davide Santon returning to left-back and James Perch moving to right-back.
Recent form
Sunderland: DDDDWL
Newcastle United: LDDWDL
Possible starting lineups:
Sunderland: Mignolet; O'Shea, Cuellar, Bramble, Gardner; Larsson, Colback, Johnson, McClean, Sessegnon; Fletcher
Newcastle United: Harper; Santon, Coloccini, S.Taylor, Perch; Cabaye, Ben Arfa, Gutierrez, Tiote; Cisse, Ba
Sports Mole says: 1-1
