Sunderland winger Kevin Kilbane will miss the Saturday morning visit to Filbert Street Leicester after failing to recover from an ankle ligament injury.

Despite this however, Peter Reid is still expected to allow the Irishman to join up with he Ireland squad ahead of their crucial World Cup play-off with Iran next week.

Upfront, Niall Quinn is expected to return to the side and to partner Kevin Philips. Stanislav Varga is the man expected to make way.

Expected starting line up: Sorensen, Haas, Thome, Craddock, Gray, McAteer, Schwarz, McCann, Arca, Phillips, Quinn.