Source: SKY_Sports
Sunderland v Stoke preview
The Stadium of Light hosts a relegation six-pointer on Saturday as Sunderland clash with Stoke.[LNB] Both clubs go into this crucial game sitting just above the relegation zone, with the Potters just one point clear, while the Black Cats are three points above the bottom three.[LNB]The duo also go into this game on the back of positive league results last weekend as Sunderland earned a creditable draw against arch-rivals Newcastle at St James' Park, while 10-man Stoke pulled off a great win over Manchester City.[LNB]Stoke will be particularly buoyed by their City success as it ended a run of nine league games without a win.[LNB]While the Black Cats lost to Blackburn in extra-time in the FA Cup in midweek, their draw at Newcastle was preceded by a 1-0 victory over Fulham in their last home game.[LNB]Team news On-loan pair Tal Ben-Haim and Calum Davenport could make their Black Cats debuts as boss Ricky Sbragia is tempted to use fresh legs in defence.[LNB]Sbragia has hinted that George McCartney, who has played four successive games since returning from injury, could be rested, while Anton Ferdinand is battling a hip problem.[LNB]Keeper Craig Gordon started against Blackburn after returning from injury but will find it hard to displace Martin Fulop here as the Hungarian shot-stopper has played well in his absence.[LNB]Djibril Cisse took a knock against Newcastle but should be fit, joining Kenwyne Jones, Dean Whitehead and Kieran Richardson back in the team after they were rested against Blackburn.[LNB]Teemu Tainio should be available after missing the last two games with a knee problem but Carlos Edwards has a slight hamstring niggle[LNB]Seyi Olofinjana could play for Stoke as Tony Pulis is forced into making a change from the team which beat City after Rory Delap's red card.[LNB]Pulis will also be tempted to throw new signing Henri Camara straight into the action in place of Ricardo Fuller to partner goalscorer James Beattie upfront.[LNB]Possible starting XIsSunderland : Fulop, Ben Haim, Collins, Bardsley, Davenport, Whitehead, Richardson, Malbranque, Tainio, Cisse, Jones.[LNB]Stoke: Sorensen, Wilkinson, Pugh, Shawcross, Abdoulaye Faye, Olofinjana, Amdy Faye, Whelan, Etherington, Beattie, Camara.[LNB]
