Steve Bruce has been handed mixed news on the injury front ahead of Saturday’s clash with Premier League strugglers Burnley.

Combative midfielder Lee Cattermole has been struggling with a calf injury since the loss at West Ham and the 22 year-old former Middlesbrough and Wigan man is doubtful for the weekend. Bruce is not planning to take any risks and Cattermole is unlikely to feature unless he is fully recovered. Bruce said "He hasn't trained all week. We will see how he is, but with the season nearly finished, the last thing I'm going to do is throw him in if he isn't ready."

On a positive note, Lorik Cana could be back in training after missing a couple of games for Sunderland through a groin problem while John Mensah may also return following hamstring trouble. Mensah ison lona and has made a good impression at the Stadium of Light but the decision as to where he plays his football next season won’t be made before the end of this campaign.

Bruce said of him “We know what a fantastic player he can be when he's on the pitch. We'll wait and see how he is. Hopefully he can prove his fitness in the last four games and we can sign him on the cheap from Lyon this Summer.”