On-loan midfielder Alan Mahon returns to the Town squad facing Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday night (KO 8pm). Mahon picked up a groin injury at Notts County and missed the 2-1 win at Watford.

Town boss Joe Royle's party of 18 left for the North-East today and will train at Middlesbrough ahead of the Sunderland game.

Royle is looking for his side to notch their fourth league victory on the trot: “We'll be going there to win the game. Sunderland are a massive club and the atmosphere will be electric but we won't be going there looking for a point.”

The Town boss welcomes the return of midfielder Mahon: “Alan has made a difference to us and having him in again is just the sort of extra boost we need right now.”

The Blues still have a lengthy injury list with Chris Makin (thigh), Tommy Miller (knee), Martijn Reuser (groin), Drissa Diallo (knee) and John McGreal (back) all still on the sidelines.

Georges Santos has a slight groin problem after Saturday but the central defender is likely to be OK to line-up against the Black Cats.

Royle says that former Blues' striker Marcus Stewart will provide a difficult examination for his defence: “Playing against him will be a good test for our centre-halves Richard Naylor and Georges Santos. Marcus' great strength is in his brain. It will be a good challenge for our central defensive pair.”

Sunderland are hoping that Paul Thirlwell will be OK after picking up a knock while former Swedish international Joachim Bjorklund is set for a place on the bench.

Tuesday's referee is Scott Mathieson from Stockport who has shown 23 yellow cards and two red so far this season. He last took control of Town when the Blues came from behind to beat Leicester 2-1 at the Walkers Stadium on Boxing Day of last year.

Squad: Armstrong, Bart-Williams, Bent, Bloomfield, Bowditch, Couñago, Davis, Kuqi, Magilton, Mahon, Nash, Naylor, Price, Richards, Santos, Westlake, Wilnis, Wright.

Photo: Action Images

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