Fulham are boosted by the return of Kieran Richardson for Saturday's trip to the Stadium of Light.
The versatile midfielder hasn't featured since the 2-0 defeat at Manchester City on January 19, but is in contention to face his former club.
Kerim Frei will miss out as he builds up his fitness following a pelvic problem, while Mahamadou Diarra faces a further three weeks on the sidelines.
Boss Martin Jol feared Diarra's niggling knee injury could keep him out for the rest of the campaign, but the Dutchman is now hopeful of having the Mali international available again towards the end of March.
He said: "Diarra had a setback a week ago and will hopefully be OK in three weeks.
"After his operation we thought it was better but he felt this aching pain again."
Jol has no fresh injury worries as Fulham look to build on last weekend's win against Stoke.