Tony Mowbray will leave it late before deciding whether or not to hand Ellis Simms a start against Cardiff City, with the Sunderland boss planning talks with the striker on Saturday morning.

After returning from injury, Simms played 20 minutes at Luton last week before being introduced at the break during the midweek win at Huddersfield Town. Now, Mowbray must decide whether to "gamble" and put the Everton loanee in from the off against the Bluebirds.

“I think they are the conversations with him really," said the Sunderland boss.

“He did train today (Friday) and I always generally sit with him and say ‘give me your thoughts.’ We are two games away from an international break and it’s whether we feel as if we can risk, if that’s the right word, ‘risk’ a potential start from him at a much higher intensity than coming off the bench.

"It’s whether we think it’s a gamble worth taking because we have a three-week break, which he will definitely have recovered and done the fitness work to be ready.

"I’ll discuss it. I haven’t really made a decision on whether we are going to think about starting him. I haven’t really had a chat with him and will see how he is after training today and talk to him in the morning.

"There is a chance he could start, there is a chance he could be on the bench again because I like the idea of having a bench that can either see a game out or can change a game and that hasn’t always been the case.

"Let’s see what team we pick and potential changes we have to help the course of the game."

Simms made a difference from the bench at the John Smith's Stadium, giving Sunderland someone to aim at and work off in attack. As well as pondering Simms' return, Mowbray will also need to make a decision on Jack Clarke, who is available again after serving a one-match suspension.

Cardiff head for the Stadium of Light under a cloud of uncertainty, with Mark Hudson having been in charge for the last six games but still classed as interim boss. Talks are planned with the club hierarchy next week and the fact Hudson was given the green ight to add former Sunderland midfielder Dean Whitehead to his coaching staff this week points to the fact he'll get the gig on a permanent basis.

The Bluebirds have won just one of their last five games, but Mowbray is taking nothing for granted.

He said: "They look like a very well organised and decent football team. 

"It will be a good game for us, a good test and one that we go into knowing that we play well and our top players perform at the level then we can win."