Sunderland defender John O'Shea is rated at 50-50 to make his Premier League debut for the club in the Tyne-Wear derby.
The Republic of Ireland international has recovered from a hamstring injury suffered in pre-season, but is short of match fitness and manager Steve Bruce will make a late decision on him.
Striker Asamoah Gyan has shaken off the ankle knock which saw him limp off at Liverpool last Saturday, and Bruce otherwise has no fresh concerns.
Keeper Tim Krul and striker Shola Ameobi will keep their places in the Newcastle starting line-up.
The Dutchman will continue in goal with Steve Harper providing the back-up following Fraser Forster's departure on loan for Celtic, while Ameobi, who has six derby goals to his name to date, will also be retained.
Ryan Taylor is again likely to start at left-back with Jose Enrique's replacement yet to arrive, while summer signing Sylvain Marveaux and Shane Ferguson (ankle) could be involved after building up match fitness in a practice game in midweek, but Hatem Ben Arfa (ankle) remains on the sidelines.
Sunderland (from): Mignolet, Westwood, Bardsley, Brown, Richardson, Turner, Bramble, Ferdinand, Laing, Cattermole, Gardner, Vaughan, Colback, Larsson, Elmohamady, Gyan, Sessegnon, Wickham, Ji, Cook.
Newcastle (from): Krul, Harper, Simpson, R. Taylor, Ferguson, Coloccini, S. Taylor, Williamson, Tiote, Cabaye, Gutierrez, Barton, Marveaux, Obertan, Gosling, Abeid, Ba, Shola Ameobi, Lovenkrands, Best, Vuckic, Sammy Ameobi.
