Sunderland boosted as trio back from bans for West Brom clash

With summer appointment Regis Le Bris, previously untested in England, taking over a young and inexperienced squad, it is fair to say expectation were not sky high at the Stadium of Light heading into the season.

But the Black Cats have been the division's surprise package mixing it with the more expected names like Leeds, Sheffield United and Burnley a third of the way into the league campaign.

Saturday's draw at Millwall, via a last-gasp Lions equaliser, was a fourth draw on the spin and just about enough for Leeds to climb above on goal difference with a win on Sunday.

Sunderland, like the Baggies and the other three members of the top four, have only been beaten twice in the league this term and have not tasted defeat since late September, though the more recent sequence of draws has slightly checked progress.

Le Bris has to do without one of his star turns in defender Dennis Cirkin. The versatile Cirkin underwent surgery on a wrist injury last week and the Albion clash comes just too soon. Aji Alese filled in at left-back for Sunderland in the capital.

Defender Leo Hjelde and attacker Nazariy Rusyn have both been unavailable through injury but are now back in contention.

Tonight's hosts are boosted by a timely return from suspension for three important members of Le Bris' squad.

Stourbridge-born Jobe Bellingham is back from a one-match ban following a sending off and the Black Cats also welcome star winger Patrick Roberts and full-back Trai Hume to contention after missing one game for an accumulation of five yellow cards.

Bellingham is likely to compete in attack, though French striker Wilson Isidor, on loan from Zenit in Russia, is top scorer with five goals.