Ferdinand winning fitness race

Anton Ferdinand is closing in on a return to full fitness and is in line to make his Sunderland debut after the international break.

The £8million new signing has missed the games against Nottingham Forest and Manchester City with a hamstring injury but hopes to finally make his debut against Wigan.

Ferdinand is due to play in a practice match this week and if he comes through that unscathed then he will be in line to face the Latics.

"We will possibly have a practice game at the end of the week for the likes of Anton and one or two other lads who are catching up on their fitness, so we will have enough to have some decent training sessions," Keane revealed.

"We have two weeks to play with now. We will have a practice game one Thursday or Friday and give Anton a good run-out in that. The way we defended on Sunday, I am sure he will think he has got a chance."