Sunderland duo Lee Cattermole and Steven Pienaar could return for Tottenham trip

Sunderland could be boosted by the return of experienced midfield duo Lee Cattermole and Steven Pienaar during this weekend's Premier League trip to Tottenham Hotspur.

The struggling Black Cats, who suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Everton last time out, following an 11-minute second-half hat-trick from Romelu Lukaku, travel to White Hart Lane on Sunday (18 September) still searching for their first top-flight victory under David Moyes.

Injuries have been a constant source of frustration for the new manager during the underwhelming early stages of his reign on Wearside, with goalkeeper Vito Mannone ruled out for at least three months due to torn elbow ligaments.

Striker Fabio Borini is also unlikely to feature again until December courtesy of a groin problem, while long-serving midfielder Sebastian Larsson will be sidelined for five to six months after undergoing surgery on a medial ligament injury.

John O'Shea, Lamine Koné and Jan Kirchhoff have also struggled with fitness problems, and fiery vice-captain Cattermole has yet to play a single minute this season as he recovers from a double hernia operation.

Summer free agent signing Pienaar, who reunited with his former boss on a one-year contract in August after being released by Everton, has already made three appearances in 2016/17 but missed that loss against his former club due to a hamstring complaint.

However, both players have now returned to training and might be in contention for a tricky fixture against a talented Spurs side, who remain unbeaten in the league this term and will surely be smarting after marking their return to the Champions League after a five-year absence with a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Monaco at Wembley on Wednesday night (14 September).

Indeed, Sunderland have not beaten Tottenham at all since 2010 and have lost 13 of their 15 Premier League visits.

"Lee Cattermole and Steven Pienaar have got a chance of being involved," Moyes was quoted as saying by the club's official website at his pre-match press conference. "They have both trained for the last few days and they are beginning to push a little bit more to join the group."

While Cattermole, Pienaar and right-back Billy Jones may all return, however, new arrival Victor Anichebe will not make his Sunderland debut in north London due to thigh trouble.

The 28-year-old, another player that Moyes know very well from his time at Everton, was recently handed a deal until the end of the season in order to provide support for Jermain Defoe and Duncan Watmore after Borini's injury blow and the decision to loan Jeremain Lens to Fenerbahce.

"It would be good to get Victor ready but I don't want to rush him; he has a little bit of a thigh strain but he's still running so we're just being protective," Moyes confirmed.