Stoke City striker Peter Odemwingie, who has not played since August because of a serious knee injury, could feature on Saturday, says manager Mark Hughes.
The Nigeria international, 33, has managed just three appearances for the Potters this season after undergoing an operation in September.
“He’s in a good place and confident – and may well feature,” said Hughes before Sunderland’s visit to the Britannia Stadium.
“Peter is likely to be on the bench.”
Odemwingie scored five goals in 15 Premier League games last season after signing in January 2014 from Cardiff City in a swap deal which took Kenwyne Jones the other way.
He then appeared for Nigeria at the World Cup in Brazil, scoring the winner against Bosnia-Hercegovina.
But the former West Brom player has been forced to watch from the sidelines since injuring his knee in a 1-0 win at Manchester City on 30 August.
Stoke are ninth in the Premier League table with five matches remaining.BBC