Sunderland defender Jordan Willis is available for Bolton’s Boxing Day visit to the Stadium of Light.

Willis missed the Black Cats’ last League One fixture, a 1-1 home draw with Blackpool on December 14, with a knee problem but is back in contention ahead of Thursday’s game.

However, midfielder George Dobson will sit out as a result of the red card he received against the Seasiders, which incurred a one-game ban.

Several players have missed training through illness in recent days and manager Phil Parkinson has drafted in members of the under-23s squad to boost numbers ahead of the busy holiday programme.

Current Bolton boss Keith Hill could welcome back defender Adam Chicksen after he missed Saturday’s 3-2 win over Southend.

Hill opted to play Josh Earl in his place after Chicksen had been unable to train for much of the week because of illness, but the Zimbabwe international is expected to be fit for the trip to Wearside.

Defender Liam Edwards, who has not played since August because of injury, was an unused substitute at the weekend and will hope for some involvement.

However, former Sunderland midfielder Will Buckley and defender Harry Brockbank are still sidelined.