Sunderland's injury list remains a relatively significant one but Tony Mowbray remains hopeful that he might have some reinforcements back for the game with a number of players returning to training in some capacity over the break.
So what's the latest on the injury front, who could be back on Saturday and who is likely facing a longer absence?
5. DENNIS CIRKIN
Cirkin suffered a hamstring injury during the last international break and while there is no set date for his return, Mowbray said he is making good progress.
Cirkin has played some part in training over the last couple of weeks, which is an encouraging step and suggests he will return during this next block of fixtures.
"Dennis is on the training pitch," Mowbray said.
"He started earlier in the week doing bits of the team session and then doing some work on his own, and has been steadily increasing from there.
"We're managing him at the moment, ideally we'd get an U21 fixture in for him. He's feeling pretty positive and he's training well, he just isn't quite as sharp as he would want to be just yet." Potential return date: Norwich City (H) October 28th. Photo: Frank Reid
6. DAN BALLARD
Ballard picked up a minor thigh niggle while on international duty with Northern Ireland and missed their final fixture of the break this week.
Sunderland will make a late call on the defender, with Mowbray facing a difficult decision. Ballard is an absolutely central part of his team, which makes it all the more important that he doesn't suffer a more significant injury. Potential return date: Stoke City (A) October 21st Photo: Frank Reid
7. DAN NEIL
Neil was shown a controversial red card for dissent just before half time against Middlesbrough, after which the visitors ran out 4-0 winners.
As it was a second yellow card offence, Neil will only serve a one-match suspension.
He'll be eligible to face Leicester City, and his form this season makes you think he'll be straight back in to face the best team in the division. Potential return date: Leicester City (A) 24th October Photo: Frank Reid
8. AJI ALESE
Alese is relatively close to returning but suffered a minor setback over the course of the international break.
"Aji was out training with us and was just about back in the groove, but had to come out of a session the other day because he felt something in his thigh." Mowbray said.
"It's been scanned and there is a slight bit of damage, but there is nothing major. It just means he'll be out for another week or two while he picks up a bit of treatment, and we have to be really careful with Aji. He played for us in that Luton game because we were so lacking that physicality, but it damaged his thigh pretty badly.
"We have to be mindful of not rushing him back. He was almost there, he just felt a little tweak but that is very common in these scenarios. A couple of weeks, and I'm pretty sure Aji will be back." Potential return date: Plymouth Argyle (A) November 25th Photo: Frank Reid