Sunderland manager Gus Poyet is considering recalling Wes Brown for the Tyne-Wear derby this weekend, despite the defender not having played a first-team match in 21 months.
The former England international has been kept sidelined by a series of injuries, but Poyet is desperate to add him to a backline that conceded four in his first match in charge at Swansea City on Saturday and has leaked 20 goals in total during their eight Premier League matches.
Brown has been training with the Black Cats this week, and while Poyet is positive about his fitness, he has admitted that bringing him back into the fold for the visit of rivals Newcastle United may be a risk.
"Wes is fit and he's been training with us all week and he played in a behind closed doors friendly we had on Tuesday. It's a decision we need to make," Poyet told reporters.
"Whether somebody's fit enough to play 90 minutes or not or how many players there are in that situation you can't take a chance. But you can't have too many on the pitch that can't play 90 minutes. Depending on that, we will make a decision on it.
"He could be everything that you need in the Premier League. He's experienced he's played at the highest level, at one of the best teams in the world, and he knows the game well. Hopefully we can see him very soon on the pitch."
Ex-Manchester United player Brown, 34, has made 252 Premier League appearances, but only 21 for Sunderland since leaving Old Trafford to join them in 2011.
Joe Fish
