Sunderland are preparing for their Championship match against Blackburn at the Stadium of Light – with injury issues for both sides.
The Black Cats ended a seven-match winless run with a 2-0 victory over Cardiff on Good Friday, with Adil Aouchiche and Jobe Bellingham getting the goals. Blackburn were beaten 1-0 by Ipswich last time out, meaning John Eustace’s side have gone nine league matches without a win.
Here’s the latest Sunderland and Blackburn injury and team news ahead of their meeting at the Stadium of Light:
![Evans is nearing his long-awaited first-team return after suffering an ACL injury in January last year. The midfielder played twice for the under-21s side during the international break and could return to the squad.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmRlZDE3YTEyLTQ2MDQtNDg2NS1iNGE4LWQ3MTUzOTM4MzYyNTo2NmNlYzIyYS1hYjRjLTRjZjQtOTU5Ni0yY2JlOTRiNWJmYWQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
1. Corry Evans (Sunderland) - DOUBT
Evans is nearing his long-awaited first-team return after suffering an ACL injury in January last year. The midfielder played twice for the under-21s side during the international break and could return to the squad. Photo: Frank Reid
![Gallagher was set to start Blackburn's fixture against Ipswich but had to withdraw from the squad due to an illness.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjJlMjMyNThlLWI3Y2ItNGQ3OC04MTIxLWUyYTE2NjBjOTI3Nzo2MTc1NjMyMi0xZDEwLTQ0ZDMtOTA5Mi1kNGZlMWFhNDU3ZTA=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
2. Sam Gallagher (Blackburn) - DOUBT
Gallagher was set to start Blackburn's fixture against Ipswich but had to withdraw from the squad due to an illness. Photo: Cameron Smith
![Rusyn has missed Sunderland's last two matches with a calf issue and remains unavailable for the Blackburn fixture.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjA5YTIzMmZlLWJiNTMtNDM1Ny04Njc0LTczYTllODY2YzkzYzoyOGFiYWEyZC1mOWFiLTRmODUtODVjZS02Y2UxMzBkNzI0ZDU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
3. Nazariy Rusyn (Sunderland) - OUT
Rusyn has missed Sunderland's last two matches with a calf issue and remains unavailable for the Blackburn fixture. Photo: Frank Reid
![Buckley also missed the game against Ipswich, after taking a knock on his knee. The midfielder will be assessed ahead of the Sunderland fixture.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjkxNjFkYjFlLWU1M2UtNDE5Yy05ZmE0LTdlYzU5OTc0ODNkYjphODUyZTNiYy0zMmZkLTRlM2UtOTE1NC1iODMxOTVkNWRmM2M=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
4. John Buckley (Blackburn) - DOUBT
Buckley also missed the game against Ipswich, after taking a knock on his knee. The midfielder will be assessed ahead of the Sunderland fixture. Photo: PAUL ELLIS