Tony Mowbray may well be able to welcome back a couple of key players for the game, while the injury situation continues to ease following an at times difficult start to the campaign.
So what's the latest on the injury and team news front, who will be missing tomorrow and who could yet feature? And when are those absent likely to return? Here’s everything you need to know..
5. AJI ALESE
It's been a frustrating period for Alese, who has still been unable to make an appearance this season after two serious thigh injuries. But on Thursday, Mowbray was more confident than ever that there is some light at the end of the tunnel. "With Aji, we've put him with the U21s for a week or so, just so that he can build up in terms of the intensity," Mowbray said. "He's been out for a long time so we have to be careful putting him back into first-time training. He'll train with the U21s for a little while so he can work his way in and build himself up. "Then in a week or so when he feels really confident and comfortable, he'll come back and train with us. So he's not too far away." Potential return date: Bristol City (A) December 16th Photo: Frank Reid
6. TIMOTHÉE PEMBÉLÉ
Timothée Pembélé arrived from PSG still recovering from a long-term ACL injury, with Sunderland drawing up a bespoke fitness programme for him.
The full back rejoined full training but has suffered a setback and is still working his way back to full fitness.
With some time in the U21 side likely required before he can make his senior debut, it's unlikely he will be able to feature in a squad for a little while yet.
Mowbray confirmed last week that the full back is a week or two behind Alese in terms of his training schedule, so there is still some hope he will be able to make his debut at some stage over the festive period. Potential return date: Hull City (A) December 26th Photo: ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT
7. JAY MATETE
Matete suffered a knee injury in the final game of Sunderland's pre-season trip to the USA, a major blow given that he was making a strong impression on the coaching staff following a successful loan at Plymouth Argyle. The midfielder is expected to rejoin full training at some stage this month, and will then need some minutes in U21/bounce games to rebuild his match fitness. Mowbray's hope has always been that Matete will be back in the fold by the time of the busy festive schedule.
The head coach said last week that Matete was now out running every day at the Academy of Light, meaning that his return to training is nearing. Potential return date: Hull City (A) December 26th Photo: Frank Reid
8. ELLIOT EMBLETON
Embleton is back on Wearside recovering from a freak muscle injury he suffered in the early stages of his loan at Derby County, taking a corner right at the very end of a training session. The exact timeframe of his recovery from this latest setback is unknown, though Mowbray said in late September that it was likely to be a 'few months'.
Embleton is still on loan at Derby County, with a decision on the rest of the campaign likely to be made some time in the January transfer window. Photo: FRANK REID