Last Updated: Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:51
Steve Bruce says he is ready to hand Alan Hutton his Sunderland debut against Wigan on Saturday afternoon.
John Mensah is struggling with a hamstring injury so Hutton looks set to be thrown straight into the starting line up despite only arriving from Tottenham on Monday.
"I know he's just arrived and I know he hasn't played many games this season, but that doesn't bother me at all," said Bruce. "If it comes down to a decision on whether or not to play Alan, I won't hesitate - the lad's a machine!"
Elsewhere, Bruce has no fresh injury problems and is also delighted that Lee Cattermole and Michael Turner have returned without any problems.
"We had key players coming back for us, like Lee Cattermole and Michael Turner, and they, like the rest, have come through no problems at all.
"That's a massive boost to us in itself and hopefully players like them can now go on a settled run in the side."