SUNDERLAND are without the injured Younes Kaboul as they prepare to take on Watford at the Stadium of Light.

Kaboul is struggling with an illness, and is not able to take up his place in the Black Cats' back five against the Hornets.

Billy Jones takes his place at the heart of the backline, but even though the defender is naturally a right-back, he is expected to play alongside John O'Shea and Sebastian Coates as part of a 5-3-2 formation.

DeAndre Yedlin is expected to continue at right wing-back, with Patrick van Aanholt starting on the opposite flank.

Steven Fletcher retains his place in the starting line-up after shaking off the foot problem he suffered in midweek, while Duncan Watmore is preferred to Jermain Defoe, who remains on the substitutes' bench.

Snow is falling at the Stadium of Light, but the game is not at any risk of being postponed.

SUNDERLAND (5-3-2): Pantilimon; Yedlin, Jones, O'Shea, Coates, van Aanholt; M'Vila, Toivonen; Borini, Fletcher, Watmore.

Subs: Mannone (gk), Matthews, Rodwell, Johnson, Lens, Graham, Defoe.

WATFORD (4-2-3-1): Gomes; Nyom, Cathcart, Britos, Ake; Capoue, Watson; Abdi, Deeney, Jurado; Ighalo.

Subs: Arlauskis (gk), Oulare, Paredes, Guedioura, Berghuis, Anya, Diamanti.