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The newly manager-less Sunderland will look to impress the on-looking Martin O’Neill when they face fellow relegations threatened side Wolves on Sunday at Molineux.
The Black Cats decision to make Steve Bruce the first Premier League managerial casualty of the season has prompted club chairman Ellis Short to approach O’Neill over the possibility of taking up the reins at the Stadium of Light, and the Northern Irishman is expected to be in the ground for the crucial tie against Wolves to see what he could be working with.
A run of only two wins in their first 13 games of the new season that has left them just two points clear of the relegation zone cost Bruce his job earlier this week, and his former players will certainly looking to give a response not only to pay their respects to their former boss but to claim a much needed victory over a fellow relegation-threatened side to boost them up the league.
While the behind-the-scenes negotiations rumble on stand-in-coach Eric Black will be charged with the task of picking up the Sunderland squad for the game, and he will at least be pleased he has relatively few injury concerns.
Titus Bramble could make his return to the team for the first time since September having overcome a knee injury, although whether Black will want to drop the former Wigan defender in at the deep end given not only his injury but his well-publicised off-the-field trouble remains to be seen.
Sebastian Larsson, one of the few successful transfer stories under Bruce, will make his 200th Premier League appearance if he is selected to play on Sunday.
Wolves meanwhile have had more than their fair share of struggles this season, and sit level on points with their opponents on Sunday but have their woeful goal difference to thank for being a spot below the Black Cats.
Sunderland have managed to conceded as many goals as they have scored so far this season, a poor enough record while Wolves have one of the worst goal differences in the league having shipped 10 more goals than they have managed to score themselves.
Crucially for Wolves boss Mick McCarthy Jamie O’Hara and Stephen Hunt are both available once more having missed the 3-0 defeat against Chelsea last week, however Karl Henry is suspended.
Kevin Doyle and Richard Steadman should be available for the tie having shaken off knock in the week.
Match Winner
With both teams scrapping for their lives at the bottom of the table going into the hectic Christmas period, three points against a near rival is simply a must.
The disruption of losing their manager in the week has inevitably meant they go into the game as underdogs, with VC Bet offering the best price at 3.20 (11/5).
Wolves are 2.30 (13/10) with Paddy Power to claim a much needed win while the draw is 3.30 (23/10) with Sky Bet.
First Goalscorer
Both sides have found goals hard to come by this season, especially for Sunderland who have had to cope with the loss of both Asamoah Gyan and Darren Bent in attack over the past 12 months, leaving the striking department a little bare.
Nicklas Bendtner leads the market for first goalscorer at 8.00 (7/1) withLadbrokes, while Ji Dong Wong is alongside him at the same price with Coral.
Wolves will be banking on the return of Kevin Doyle to do the business, and the Irishman is 9.00 (8/1) withLadbrokes.
Recommended Bets
Correct Score: 1-1 Draw, 7.00 (6/1) William Hill
First Goalscorer: Kevin Doyle, 9.00 (8/1) Ladbrokes
