Martin O’Neill is expected to give the skipper's armband to Lee Cattermole, who is expected to remain in the side after making his return from knee ligament damage against the Gunners.
Cattermole had played just 15 minutes of first-team football in two months prior to the game.
He was replaced at the interval, but more because he was walking a thin line ... rather than lack of match fitness.
He was booked after two minutes, and it seemed only a matter of time before he saw a red card.
John O’Shea (who has been deputising as Sunderland captain): “Catts will go from strength to strength now.
“He was probably living on a knife’s edge for most of that first half against Arsenal after getting booked so early.
“But he got a good boost from that fitness-wise, and he’s been able to work on that.
“Having him back for the final games of the season will be a big, big boost for us.”