It's just injury news a-go-go this week at Sunderland, and the latest is that Lee Cattermole, along with Nedum Onuoha and Bolo Zenden are set to up their rehabilitation with a practice game on Saturday at the Academy of Light.
The Skipper has been a huge miss for Sunderland in recent months, since suffering a back injury way back in December 2010, and his tough tackling and leadership will be a welcome return once he is match fit.
Steve Bruce told the Sunderland Echo today "We're going to have a practice match game on Saturday and will give returning players a chance to improve their fitness."
He continued "Catts has been working with a personal trainer, and if he comes through this game, we will give him a run-out at Manchester United reserves next week."
Bruce wouldn't put a timetable on Cattermole's return, but intimated that the game with Manchester City is more likely than Liverpool, "There's a chance he could be back for Liverpool, but there's a fortnight between then and Manchester City, and he can get more practice games in during that time."
Meanwhile Bruce has also said the likes of Bolo Zenden & Nedum Onuoha will be involved in the game on Saturday. Both have been in training since Monday, along with fellow returning players Danny Welbeck & Fraizer Campbell.
All four of those should be in strong contention to make the squad for Liverpool.
However, the games are too soon for the likes of David Meyler & Michael Turner, who will continue to work with club physios in a bid to be back in time for the final games of the season.
Bookmakers currently place Cattermole at odds of 4/1 to get sent-off in the game this Saturday*
*May be a lie/joke.