Breen to miss clarets visit

Influential defender Gary Breen is not expected to make the cut for Saturday's visit of Burnley to the Stadium of Light. The Irish international missed his country's recent friendly against Canada with a knee injury and has had a setback in recovery, and Mick McCarthy today confirmed that the player will not be available for selection.

Sean Thornton and Tommy Butler are still not back to full fitness but although their countryman Jason McAteer is fit again after playing in the reserves' 5-3 defeat of Manchester Utd, 'Trigger' will not be in contention for a place in the side that faces Stan Ternent's clarets.

Matty Piper continues his recuperation from a longstanding injury but is hopeful of a comeback before New Year, and the resurgent John Oster sits out Saturday's match as the final game of his three match ban for being sent off with a straight red at Norwich in October.

Kevin Kyle has recovered from a hip injury and will be available for selection and it's expected that Tommy Smith will shake off the effects of a slight foot injury sustained in last weekend's embarrassing 3-0 defeat at Crewe.