Boss to welcome back Mignolet
Sunderland,
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Simon Mignolet is set to return in goal for Sunderland's trip to Fulham but doubts persist over John O'Shea and Nicklas Bendtner.
Mignolet was left out of the 2-2 draw against Bolton as Black Cats boss Martin O'Neill wanted to give a run-out to Craig Gordon, who hasn't played a first-team game since February 2011 due to his knee injury.
He said: "I think Simon will be really unfortunate if he didn't play in the final games.
"We just decided to give Craig a game. Simon has done particularly well this season. I know Keiren Westwood lost his place through illness, but this was something I mentioned to the goalkeepers and put out.
"In my mind, that's a different issue to someone coming in through different circumstances.
"Craig did very well and I'm sure he will have been a bit nervous beforehand, going out there and being thrown into the game.
"But it might have proved something to himself. Craig's main issue is to get properly fit and the rest will follow.
"If he's 100 per cent fit, it means he's psychologically as well as physically fit.
"If he gets back to being the goalkeeper he was, that would be great for everyone, regardless of what happens in the summer."
O''Shea and Bendtner have both been struggling all week after picking up foot problems in training, but O'Neill remains hopeful that the pair will be available to take their place in the team on Sunday.
The Northern Irishman is also able to call on midfielder Craig Gardner again after he served a one-match ban. while defender Titus Bramble could play some part in the match after returning to practice following an Achilles problem.
Both Kieran Richardson and Sebastian Larsson are ruled out for the remainder of the season after undergoing hernia surgery.


