Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has revealed that he hopes that record buy Asamoah Gyan will be fit to face Wigan on Saturday.
Bruce remains hopeful the £13million deadline-day capture will be ready to make his debut at the DW Stadium, but will take no risks with the striker.
The 24-year-old has been on duty with Ghana in their African Cup of Nations qualifying campaign and Bruce will asses Gyan before deciding whether or not to hand the forward his Sunderland debut.
"I've got to wait for him to get back from international duty to see how he is," said Bruce. "It's a long trip from Ghana and I will check on his condition when he walks through the door.
"But if he is OK, there's every chance he will be involved at some stage at Wigan."
If Gyan is unable to take part in the game against Wigan, Bruce will have just two strikers at his disposal - Darren Bent and Danny Welbeck - as Fraizer Campbell has a ligament injury.