Liverpool vs Sunderland: Jeremain Lens, Seb Larsson and Yann M'Vila doubtful, Younes Kaboul returns

Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce has confirmed that Jeremain Lens, Seb Larsson and Yann M'Vila are doubts for the trip to Liverpool on 6 February due to injuries. However, Younes Kaboul is ready to return to first-team action following more than a month on the sidelines.

Lens was forced to come off at half-time during the midweek 1-0 defeat to Manchester City, and Allardyce calls him a "big doubt" for the Anfield trip. January signing Wahbi Kharzi is expected to take his place in the starting line-up, after he replaced the Dutchman against Manuel Pellegrini's side.

Larsson is also likely to miss the game with the Merseysiders, as he is yet to recover from knee ligament problems he suffered during the victory over Stoke City in November.

"Seb is still having a little bit of trouble with the medial ligaments," the boss confirmed in the press conference, admitting his recovery is taking longer than originally expected.

"It's turning out to be a lot longer than we expected and it's obviously concerning for us, but hopefully he will recover shortly."

"He's worried about it as well because when the doctors say it should be six weeks or so, and it's not, players worry. Some players heal quicker than others. But it's gone a bit further than we thought with Seb, so he's more concerned."

Allardyce, meanwhile, claimed M'Vila could also miss the game after the French midfielder picked up a knock from Sergio Aguero during the midweek defeat.

"Yann caught the bottom of [Sergio] Aguero's boot and has bruising so he hasn't trained at all today, so we will have to wait to see if he's fit for Saturday."

The manager, in more positive news, revealed that Kaboul "will be back in the squad" after being out of action since suffering a hamstring problem during the 3-1 defeat against Chelsea on 19 December.

The Black Cats visit Liverpool four points from safety in the 19^th. But Allardyce is confident of securing a positive result at Anfield as he believes Sunderland deserved a better result against Manuel Pellegrini's side.

"The performance was there against Manchester City but there was disappointment because we didn't take anything from the game but if we continue to play to that level, we will start to pick up points," Allardyce said.