Watford have doubts over defender Sebastian Prodl (calf) and striker Troy Deeney (illness), with Walter Mazzarri mindful of the Hornets facing three matches in the space of a week.
Christian Kabasele (hip), Ben Watson (groin) and Valon Behrami (hamstring) have all been ruled out.
David Moyes says all of his Sunderland players involved over the international break have returned fine, with John O'Shea expected to be fit after taking a knock.
Lamine Kone (knee) is expected to return but the match will likely come too soon for Lee Cattermole (hip). Victor Anichebe (knee) is back in training.
Did you know?
Sunderland have lost only one of their previous five Premier League meetings with Watford (W3 D1).
If Watford win this match then they will equal their best tally of home wins in a season (six in 2015/16).
Jermain Defoe has scored against 35 different PL teams but is yet to register in four appearances against Watford.
Watford have scored a joint-PL high eight goals in the opening 15 minutes of matches this season.
What the managers say
Walter Mazzarri: "The last 15 days I have tried to make the players understand that I want them to treat all of the last ten games as if they were cup finals."
See: Mazzarri on Deeney fitness
David Moyes: "We go into these games knowing we have to win them because they are running out. No half measures."