Sunderland boss Roy Keane has suggested that Phil Bardsley and Jonny Evans might be 50-50 for Saturday's Premiership clash against Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland winger Kieran Richardson is set to miss this weekend's game against Portsmouth as he has not recovered completely from a hamstring strain.

Sunderland midfielder Liam Miller has been ruled out for three weeks after suffering a calf injury while on international duty.

Sunderland manager Roy Keane has admitted the injury blow that has seen Kieran Richardson suffer recurrence of his hamstring problem.

Sunderland suffered a blow early in their Premiership clash at Liverpool as winger Kieran Richardson had to be replaced due to recurrence of his hamstring problem.

After the 7-1 mauling from Everton on Saturday, Sunderland boss Roy Keane is looking for right reaction from his side next weekend and the Black Cats are also boosted as Kieran Richardson and Russell Anderson are closing in on their return.

Sunderland manager Roy Keane is looking forward to the key period leading up to Christmas as captain Dean Whitehead is closing on a return while Dwight Yorke, Carlos Edwards and Andy Cole could also hand the Black Cats big boost, in this week's friendly against Falkirk.

Sunderland skipper Dean Whitehead who sustained knee ligament damage in August has stepped his recovery by beginning light training, which is good news to Manager Roy Keane.

Sunderland skipper Dean Whitehead has revealed his knee anterior cruciate ligament injury does not need a corrective surgery and that he is aiming to come back in a couple of months.

Sunderland are hit hard by mounting injury woes as striker Andy Cole has now joined the list with a calf injury that is likely to keep the former Manchester United striker out for up to three weeks.