Injury boost for O'Neill

Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill is hoping to have John O'Shea back in contention for the clash with Aston Villa this weekend.

The former Manchester United man has been out with a calf injury but is pushing Mathew Killgallon for a place alongside Michael Turner at the back. Frazier Campbell is hoping for a recall and the boss will hand late checks to Phil Bardsley, Nicklas Bendtner and Kieran Richardson, who all returned last week after knocks kept them out previously. Lee Cattermole missed out against Wolves with a knee injury and he will again be checked before a possible return, while midfielder Ahmed Elmohamady is pushing for a rare start as he considers his future at the club with a summer move on the cards.