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Thu, Nov

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Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is expecting to have a fully fit strike-force ahead of the Black Cats' trip to Birmingham City this weekend.

Kenwyne Jones will be fit to travel to the Midlands ahead of the game with Birmingham City tomorrow, safc.com can reveal.

The Black Cats' five-goal striker was stretchered off after 65 minutes during last weekend's game with Liverpool following a clash with Martin Skrtel.

The 25 year-old returned to training yesterday after the swelling around his ankle went down and is now back in contention to line up against City on Saturday.

Steve Bruce said: "Kenwyne is okay. He trained yesterday for the first time this week and came through it.

"[Bolo] Zenden and Reidy [Andy Reid] have also had a couple of niggles this week but they'll both be okay for the weekend."

Bruce added: "The game against Birmingham will come too soon for John Mensah, who is still struggling with a calf injury."

Kieran Richardson is back from suspension this weekend, after missing the Liverpool match following his dismissal at Old Trafford.

Richardson could be called upon to resume the left-back role after George McCartney was sidelined with a chest infection during half-time of the Liverpool game.

"I'll make a decision on the left-back position in the next 24 hours," Bruce revealed.

"Kieran's available again and George struggled last week, so I'll wait and see."

Lee Cattermole will be out of action for approximately 12 weeks following knee ligament damage during the win over Liverpool.