Adam Johnson will be included in the Sunderland squad for tomorrow's Barclays Premier League clash with Saints.
The 27-year-old did not make the matchday 18 at Stoke last weekend because head coach Dick Advocaat did not feel he was mentally ready to play just days after being charged with three offences of sexual activity with a child under 16 and one of grooming.
Fellow midfielder Sebastian Larsson returns from suspension but striker Steven Fletcher will miss out as he continues to battle an ankle problem.
Former England defender Wes Brown (knee) is improving but still not ready, and Ricky Alvarez (also knee) and Emanuele Giaccherini (ankle) remain on the sidelines.
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