COSTA Rican defender Bryan Oviedo will be handed his first piece of competitive football after injury when Sunderland head across to the west coast to face Carlisle United tomorrow night.

The 27-year-old defender has not played since the final Premier League game of last season at Chelsea because of a calf injury, and his experience could be crucial in the Black Cats’ drive to enjoy a positive season.

Oviedo, signed from Everton in January, will take the place of Brendan Galloway, who will be rested at Brunton Park because of an ankle knock sustained during his disappointing afternoon against Leeds United on Saturday.

Sunderland boss Simon Grayson said: “It’s good to have players coming back into the fold, Bryan will start against Carlisle as will a few other different players. He has worked well in training and we welcome him in. We need as many players fit as possible because of the schedule.”

Sunderland suffered a first defeat under Grayson against Leeds but on reflection, and having watched the DVD of the match, he isn’t too concerned by what he witnessed.

He is looking to add players to his squad before this Saturday’s trip to Barnsley, but he has ruled out any new arrivals before facing Carlisle.

Grayson said: “When we looked back on the game, pleased with some aspects like how we started, the intensity, from hitting the bar we could have been in front and that would have changed the whole outlook.

“We kept going after falling behind, showed some decent characteristics, but ran out of a bit of quality at the top end of the pitch. Positives but things we need to improve on as well as the season goes on.

“We want good players on our books, we need to make better decisions. We have players who can handle the ball, but it’s about making better decisions too.

“Ultimately they did work hard and showed a lot of characteristics where they didn’t throw the towel in and tried to get into the game.

“We picked up a couple of knocks from weekend. Galloway only one definitely out. Assess one or two others. Others have reported illness this morning as well. Whatever team it is we want to win the game. We need to freshen things up. And they can stake a claim for Barnsley.”

On facing the Cumbrians of League Two in the second round of the Carabao Cup, Grayson added: “It will be a tough test for us. They did well last year. Keith Curle has a good philosophy, it’s a local derby as such, decent atmosphere, and hopefully we can win the game.”