LIAM BRIDCUTT is in line for a recall to the Sunderland starting line-up for the potentially defining Premier League visit of Leicester City tomorrow.

Bridcutt is favourite to replace Jordi Gomez in midfield after it was revealed the Spaniard will not play again until pre-season after suffering a fractured knee cap.

That is not the only change, with head coach Dick Advocaat also set to ask John O’Shea to slot straight back in to the heart of the defence after rib problems as a direct replacement for Wes Brown.

Brown, who is out of contract this summer, is not likely to figure in any of the remaining fixtures of the season either after a recurrence of his knee problem.

Advocaat said: “Jordi Gomez is not available, Jack Rodwell not available, Wes Brown is not available, but John O'Shea is fit again, and Emanuele (Giaccherini) is part of the squad.

"Jordi will be out four to six weeks. Wes gave everything last Saturday against Everton and he has problems as well so he'll be out for a couple of weeks as well, both out for the season. It's his knee, yes.”

If Sunderland defeat Leicester tomorrow then it could be enough to secure top-flight status provided Hull City fail to win at Tottenham.

But Advocaat said: “Every game is a final for us, but we're playing at home against a team in form who're winning. There's only one team important for us and that's our own team, and we have to get a result again.

"We can't relax at all, hopefully we can relax going into our next game on Wednesday. I have to be fair to the players, the way they train and work, the way they play games, they've been very positive, I've no complaints at all about the players in that way. If we stay up, it's the success of the club for everyone who works for the club, and we're part of that.”

Advocaat suggested that he will not discuss his own future with owner Ellis Short until Sunderland’s future is certain.