Last Updated: Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:06
George McCartney has recovered from injury and will make his Sunderland debut against Wigan on September 13.
The full-back has been struggling with a knock but Black Cats boss Roy Keane is confident he will face the Latics as long as he comes through his games for Northern Ireland.
"I would have thought George will feature at Wigan," said Keane. "He had one or two problems over the last few weeks but he was on the bench for West Ham last weekend, and the games he will get for Northern Ireland will help his fitness."
Elsewhere, Teemu Tainio and Dean Whitehead are also expected to have recovered in time, while Anton Ferdinand will also be fit after coming through a practice match unscathed.