Thornton injured

Irish media sources are today reporting that midfielder Sean Thornton is injured - and therefore a possibility to miss Saturday's televised clash with Preston.

Thornton was one of the few bright spots to Saturday's first home game of the season, but picked up a rib injury during the match. Sunderland lost 1-0 to Milwall after a 7th minute goal from Noel Whelan.

Both Thornton and Coventry City's Mick Doyle have withdrawn from the Irish U21 squad that will face Poland on Tuesday in Gdansk.

Former Sunderland players Cliff Byrne and Stephen Capper - now at Scunthorpe and Scarborough respectively - are included in the squad.