Bruce will once again have to contend with major selection problems with central defender Michael Turner suspended and a host of fitness concerns severely limiting his options.
John Mensah, Lee Cattermole and midfielder Andy Reid (all hamstring), Kenwyne Jones and Kieran Richardson (both calf) and Anton Ferdinand (ankle) are all out, while Steed Malbranque remains a doubt with a thigh strain.
However, there is better news of keeper Craig Gordon, who has been given the green light to step up his return from a broken arm, and he could be available again in a fortnight's time.
Sunderland (from): Fulop, Carson, Bardsley, McCartney, Da Silva, Nosworthy, Cana, Malbranque, Henderson, Zenden, Campbell, Bent, Healy, Murphy, Meyler, Reed, Noble, Anderson, Liddle.
