Titus Bramble is set to make his return to action in Sunderland's reserve game against rivals Newcastle after a suspension over his arrest for two alleged sexual assaults.
Bramble, 30, was fined and ordered to stayaway from the first team by Sunderland in the aftermath of his arrest, but the club have since lifted the suspension and he returned to training last week.
Now the centre-back is set to make his comeback on Wednesday at the Stadium of Light against his former club, and Sunderland's heated local rivals.
In the dock: Titus Bramble has denied two charges of sexual assault.
Bramble pleaded not guilty at Teesside Magistrates Court last week to charges of sexually assaulting one woman in a nightclub and another in a taxi on his way home on the night of September 28. He is also charged with urinating against a police station wall.
A committal hearing at the magistrates' court will take place on January 5 at 2pm after Bramble opted for his case to be heard at the crown court.
The Sunderland defender is alleged to have grabbed the bottom of a woman in the Keys nightclub in Yarm, Teesside, during a night out on September 28. Later, he is said to have got in a taxi with another woman and is alleged to have put her hand on his groin while on their way to his home in Wellington Drive, Wynyard, Teesside.
In Bramble's absence, Bruce has been forced to turn to Michael Turner, who was not fully match fit initially, to partner Wes Brown at the heart of the Black Cats' defence.
In the absence of the former Wigan defender, Sunderland have managed only one win in five games.
Heads down: Sunderland have struggled in Bramble's absence.
Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail