Sunderland must cope without Craig Gordon when Everton visit the Stadium of Light on Sunday. Ricky Sbragia's side have dropped back to the brink of the relegation zone but will be without the Scotland goalkeeper, who has a knee injury. Marton Fulop, a Hungary international, will again deputise.

Equally disappointing for Sbragia is the on-going absence of George McCartney, his left-back. The Northern Ireland international is struggling to overcome a calf problem. However Kieran Richardson, Dean Whitehead and David Healy should all be fit.

Meanwhile Andy Reid has reacted to suggestions from supporters that Sbragia's players are not fully committed. "Of course the players care, we care deeply," said the Sunderland midfielder. "I couldn't bear to watch re-runs of our defeat at West Brom last Saturday. They were too painful to watch."