Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has admitted that injuries are starting to affect his team after Carlos Cuellar joined Adam Johnson on the treatment table.
Cuellar has picked up a hamstring problem and will definitely miss their next Premier League match against West Ham United, while Adam Johnson is rated as doubtful.
O'Neill told reporters: "Johnson is progressing but it's too difficult or too early to say for this weekend. We thought he might have made it for Liverpool, but on Friday morning he was still feeling it having trained on Thursday and not done so badly. Rather than risking him, we left it another week.
"Cuellar has had a hamstring problem so I think he will be very doubtful for not just this game but the next couple of matches. It's a bit disconcerting but you just have to get on with it."
The Mackems go in search of their first win in the Premier League this season when they travel to West Ham on Saturday.
Liam Power
