HULL CITY (4-4-2): Myhill, Ricketts, Zayatte, Turner, Dawson, Mendy, Boateng, Ashbee, Barmby, Geovanni, King.

SUNDERLAND (4-4-2): Fulop, Bardsley, Nosworthy, Ferdinand, Collins, Malbranque, Tainio, Richardson, Reid, Jones, Cisse.

Hull subs (from): Marney, Cousin, Garcia, Halmosi, Windass, Doyle, Hughes, Giannakopoulos, Gardner, Fagan, Warner.

Sunderland subs (from): Colgan, Chimbonda, Whitehead, Leadbitter, Edwards, Miller, Yorke, Henderson, Colback, Diouf, Murphy, Healy.

SUNDERLAND: Caretaker boss Ricky Sbragia has no fresh concerns. Sunderland are, however, still without full-back George McCartney until the New Year after he underwent surgery on both feet this week. Goalkeeper Craig Gordon remains on the sidelines, but is expected to return to the club on Monday to begin rehabilitation on his ankle problem.

Suspensions: None

Injuries: McCartney (feet), Gordon (ankle)

Last five league games: WLLLW

Leading league scorer: Cisse 7

Next game: Blackburn (h) 26/12/08

HULL: Full-back Paul McShane is unable to play against his parent club. His absence could allow fit-again Andy Dawson to return to the side at left-back, pushing Sam Ricketts to the other flank. Forward Craig Fagan (broken leg) and centre-back Anthony Gardner (thigh) are both back in contention after lengthy absences, but neither are likely to start.

Suspensions: None

Injuries: Folan (knee)

Last five league games: DWDDD

Leading league scorer: Geovanni 6

Key Player: Marlon King - Geovanni's displays behind him have been aided by the strikers clever running.

Last season: N/A

League head to head: Sunderland 11 Hull 10 Draws 5

Referee: Mike Riley (Leeds) G17 Y59 R2 Cd Av: 3.59

Last Sunderland game: vs Newcastle (H) 25/10/08, 2-1, Y3 R0

Odds: H11/10; A5-2; D23/10

It's a fact: West Ham United are the only team to visit the KC Stadium that have been unable to find the net this season.

Comment by PAUL FRASER: With Hull continuing to play with plenty of drive and adrenaline and Sunderland feeling more confident this has the makings of a score draw.

Prediction: 2-2