SUNDERLAND will almost certainly be without Marc Wilson and Paddy McNair for tomorrow’s crucial Championship home game with Norwich City.

The Black Cats desperately need a victory on home soil as they are seven points adrift of safety with just five games remaining.

However, they are set to be without two of their most influential performers from Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Leeds United.

Wilson is definitely unavailable because of injury, although his absence is at least partially offset by the return of Bryan Oviedo, who was forced to sit out the weekend game at Elland Road.

McNair’s absence would be a much bigger blow, with the Northern Ireland international having impressed in Sunderland’s last three games. The midfielder is unable to train after falling awkwardly on his knee at the weekend, and while he has not been categorically ruled out of tomorrow’s game, Coleman does not expect him to be involved.

The Sunderland boss said: “Injury-wise, sadly we’ll be without Marc Wilson and Paddy McNair. Both players did very well at the weekend, but they’ve both got knocks.

“It’s highly unlikely Paddy will be available, and Marc is a definite no. Jonny Williams and Billy Jones are still not available either. Bryan Oviedo will be back available after recovering from his injury.”

Sunderland have played reasonably well in their last three matches against Derby, Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds, but a return of four points from a possible nine means they remain in deep trouble at the foot of the table.

Even if they were to win tomorrow, they could still be relegated at Reading on Saturday if other results were to go against them, but Coleman will be urging his players to cling to the belief that they can still get out of trouble.

He said: “We’ve got nothing to lose. We’ve been written off, so we’ve nothing to lose. If the teams above us are going to slip up, we don’t want to be left there thinking we’ve missed an opportunity.

“We’re desperate for the result, but we just have to go out there and perform and give ourselves a chance. The teams above us are in the driving seat, it’s there’s to lose, but let’s make sure we give ourselves a chance if they slip up.

“It seems some time ago now, I remember sitting here before the Burton game away and that was a must win. If that was a must win, this is a must, must win.

“You can look at it different ways. We don’t want to be where we are, but it’s an exciting game, there’s so much on it. We may be a little bit open, but we have to try to attack and score goals.”