Sunderland striker Darren Bent is facing a race to be fit for Saturday's Premier League visit of West Ham, as he battles to overcome a knee problem.

The forward missed Tuesday's Carling Cup penalty shoot-out defeat by Aston Villa but is rated as better than 50-50 for the Hammers clash, after returning to training on Thursday

Fellow striker Fraizer Campbell is a doubt after suffering a knock against Villa, while Phil Bardsley (shoulder) and George McCartney (hip) are also touch-and-go.

Midfielder Bolo Zenden and centre-back John Mensah are ruled out. Lee Cattermole is a long-term absentee with knee ligament damage.

West Ham will be without Scott Parker.

The midfielder was sent off towards the end of last Sunday's 2-2 draw with Arsenal and serves a one-match ban, so Czech midfielder Radoslav Kovac comes in.

Kieron Dyer has suffered another setback and faces three weeks out with a hamstring problem picked up in training. Italian striker Alessandro Diamanti is pushing to start following his game-turning performance as a substitute against the Gunners.

Teams:

Sunderland (from): Gordon, Fulop, Bardsley, Da Silva, Nosworthy, Ferdinand, Turner, Richardson, McCartney, Reid, Malbranque, Cana, Henderson, Campbell, Jones, Bent, Healy, Murphy.

West Ham (from): Green, Ilunga, Tomkins, Upson, Gabbidon, Noble, Faubert, Behrami, Kovac, Collison, Cole, Diamanti, Kurucz, Spector, Da Costa, Stanislas, Jimenez, Franco, Hines.