Stephane Sessegnon will make his Sunderland debut against Chelsea but fellow new signing Sulley Muntari is unavailable.
Both players signed for the Black Cats on Saturday and playmaker Sessegnon trained on Monday. Muntari has had to return to Italy to sort out his visa, although boss Steve Bruce is hopeful he will be available to face Stoke on Saturday.
Former Paris Saint-Germain star Sessegnon is a valuable addition to a thin Sunderland squad, with David Meyler, Danny Welbeck, Fraizer Campbell (all knee) and Michael Turner still injured, while Boudewijn Zenden is also set to miss out.
Captain Lee Cattermole could return from a back problem and John Mensah (ankle) is vying for a starting place after making the bench for the 2-1 win at Blackpool nine days ago.
Chelsea have no fresh injury concerns for the trip to Wearside.
Fernando Torres would be unlikely to be involved were he to complete his move from Liverpool, as the squad departed for the north-east on Monday afternoon.
Alex (knee), Yury Zhirkov (calf) and Yossi Benayoun (Achilles) remain sidelined, although all three are nearing a return.
Sunderland (from): Gordon, Mignolet, Onuoha, Bardsley, Richardson, Angeleri, Ferdinand, Bramble, Riveros, Henderson, Malbranque, Elmohamady, Colback, Gyan, Adams, Cook, Reed, Sessegnon, Cattermole, Mensah.
Chelsea (from): Cech, Ferreira, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Bruma, Terry, Cole, Mikel, Ramires, Kalou, Essien, Lampard, Anelka, Sturridge, Drogba, Malouda, Turnbull, McEachran.
