Black Cats trio to miss Trotters clash

Martin O'Neill is without the suspended Craig Gardner and the injured Sebastian Larsson and Kieran Richardson for the clash with Bolton

Gardner was sent off for two bookable offences in the draw with his old club Aston Villa last weekend so the boss has to decide on his replacement. Larsson underwent hernia surgery in midweek and he will not play again this season and Richardson has a similar injury which will keep him out for the remainder of the campaign. Lee Cattermole has been out for the past two matches with a knee injury but he may have recovered although with little to play for the boss may look elsewhere with either David Vaughan or David Meyler set to partner Jack Colback in central midfield. Connor Wickham remains on the sidelines with an ankle injury.