Sunderland's Kevin Kyle makes his comeback after 18 months out of action with a hip problem in the reserves at Middlesbrough on Tuesday.
Kyle has had two operations on the injury, which has threatened to end the Scotland striker's career.
However, team-mate George McCartney has not been so fortunate and could face a longer spell on the sidelines.
The 24-year-old Northern Ireland defender has suffered a setback after surgery on a hamstring tendon.