Fulham will want to continue their ascent up the Premier League table when they take a Sunderland side, who themselves are in desperate need of victory having picked up only a solitary point in their last six away games.
An impressive campaign for the Black Cats is in danger of being undermined by poor away results and has led manager Steve Bruce to warn his players he is not afraid to drop his stars if results do not improve.
A defeat to Fulham will see the Whites rise above Sunderland in the Premier league standings. However, there is hope for Sunderland as they possess a good record against Fulham. The Black Cats have not lost in their last five league games against the Cottagers beating them 1-0 at home last season and enduring a goalless draw on their last visit to Craven Cottage.
The Cottagers, on the other hand, have clambered into the top half of the top flight standings after suffering only one defeat in their last eight outings.
They will now be hoping to push on and repeat their heroics from last season, with European qualification once again the target for the men from Craven Cottage.
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson will make a late check on Simon Davies ahead of the clash after the midfielder took a knock to his calf in the victory over CSKA Sofia.
Erik Nevland, Paul Konchesky and Jonathan Greening were all suspended for the Europa League win, so they return to the squad, along with Eddie Johnson, Seol Ki-Hyeon and Kagisho Dikgacoi who were not eligible.
Andy Johnson (groin), Diomansy Kamara and Dickson Etuhu (both knee) are all still struggling for match fitness.
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce remains hopeful that striker Kenwyne Jones can recover from a dead leg to return to the first team on Sunday. The Trinidad and Tobago international picked up the injury just minutes into Tuesday night's 3-0 reserve team victory over Wigan on his comeback from a three-match ban.
However, central defender John Mensah is out with a recurrence of a calf problem which is causing some concern.
Midfielder Lee Cattermole could resume during the Christmas programme after returning to training following a medial ligament injury but tomorrow's game will come too soon for him while keeper Craig Gordon will be sidelined for months yet by a broken arm.
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