The former Middlesbrough and Wigan midfielder is struggling with a calf problem, and manager Steve Bruce will not risk him until he is fully fit.
But skipper Lorik Cana (groin) and defender John Mensah (hamstring) have resumed training and are in contention, while Fraizer Campbell is hoping to shake off an illness to retain his place in the side.
However, Andy Reid and George McCartney (both hamstring) remain on the casualty list.
Black Cats (from): Gordon, Carson, Hutton, Bardsley, Turner, Ferdinand, Mensah, Kilgallon, Da Silva, Cana, Zenden, Richardson, Malbranque, Henderson, Campbell, Bent, Jones, Benjani, Meyler, Liddle.
