Sunderland will be keen to kick-start their season when they host Aston Villa in English Premier League action on Saturday.
Steve Bruce's men have won just twice so far this campaign, most recently thanks to late goals from Stephane Sessegnon and Nicklas Bendtner in a 2-0 triumph over Bolton at Reebok Stadium on Saturday.
But aside from that win, and their crushing 4-0 home triumph over Stoke on September 18, it has been slim pickings for Bruce's men, who find themselves in 14th position on nine points after nine games.
Alex McLeish's side, meanwhile, are just two points better off than their opponents on Saturday, claiming 11 points to sit in 11th place.
But they will arrive at the Stadium of Light in some indifferent form, after suffering a 2-1 loss to West Brom in their last start, although McLeish had the right to feel aggrieved after defender Chris Herd was harshly sent off after 35 minutes.
Thankfully for McLeish, the 22-year-old's appeal against his dismissal was upheld, meaning he is free to play this weekend rather than face a three-match ban.
The Scot also had some welcome news from his fitness staff, with Gabby Agbonlahor, Fabian Delph and Alan Hutton all expected to be fit for the clash.
Agbonlahor missed training on Monday with a stomach bug, but is expected to be ready in time for the match, while Delph has recovered from the virus that kept him out of the West Brom match.
Hutton, meanwhile, trained strongly on Monday despite requiring stitches in his head after a collision with team-mate Charles N'Zogbia on Saturday.
On-loan midfielder Jermaine Jenas is still hampered by an Achilles tendon injury, but is inching closer to his first appearance for Villa.
Bruce could hand Irish midfielder David Meyler his first start for Sunderland since January now that the 22-year-old has successfully battled back to fitness after two serious knee injuries.
"David has had a terrible time with really bad injuries. They were injuries that could have easily finished his career. But he has worked incredibly hard to get fit," Bruce told the Daily Express.
"His attitude has been absolutely magnificent and there is no one who was more determined to get back playing again than he was."
"I am just keeping my fingers crossed for him that all his injury problems are in the past and that he stays fit."
Goalkeeper Craig Gordon is a long-term casualty with a knee injury, as is winger Fraizer Campbell.
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