Steve Bruce will be mindful of a Chelsea backlash as he welcomes the champions to the Stadium of Light.
Chelsea are gearing up for a title charge
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will be mindful of a Chelsea backlash as he welcomes the double winners to the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats beat Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge in November in what was their most accomplished display to date this term
Since then Bruce has been relieved of the services of Darren Bent who joined Aston Villa for £18million last month.
He will also be without Manchester United's on-loan starlet Danny Welbeck (hamstring) who scored in that memorable win.
Bruce, though, was busy in the January transfer window and has signed Stephane Sessegnon from Paris St Germain.
The talented playmaker is expected to play some part in the game and has been identified by his manager as someone that can make an impact.
Concerns
However new loan signing Sulley Muntari will not be available for this game. Captain Lee Cattermole (back) is a doubt, while Bruce will be without long-term absentees Fraizer Campbell, David Meyler and Michael Turner.
Kieran Richardson has given Bruce a selection poser after his brace against Blackpool in their last outing, but was pivotal on the right side of midfield in keeping Ashley Cole quiet in that win in November.
Sunderland last did the double over Chelsea in the 2000/01 season and were unbeaten in the league in January and have kept 11 clean sheets this term - the same as their visitors.
Chelsea will arrive in the North East reinvigorated by the record-breaking capture of Fernando Torres and David Luiz.
Although neither of the new recruits will be available for Tuesday's game, the impetus of their arrival is bound to spark Chelsea into life.
After a disappointing spell Carlo Ancelotti's team appear to be returning ominously back to form.
Thrashed
They thrashed Ipswich 7-0 in the third round of the FA Cup last month and followed it up with wins over Blackburn and Bolton in the league.
Brazilian defender Alex is the only injury doubt for the game as the Blues will try and improve on their impressive record at the Stadium of Light, which has seem then win in their last five visits.
Salomon Kalou may start the game after scoring the equaliser against Everton after coming off the bench, while Frank Lampard is set to continue in midfield.
Sunderland, though, will have to keep an eye on Nicolas Anelka who has rattled in six goals in Chelsea's last six games against the Black Cats.
Chelsea will see this as a must-win-game, they are currently 10 points behind leaders Manchester United and are now gearing up for a title charge in the second half of the term.
Possible starting XIs:
Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Bramble, Ferdinand, Onuoha, Malbranque, Henderson, Elmohamady, Richardson, Zenden, Gyan
Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Lampard, Essien, Kalou, Anelka, Drogba, Malouda
