Connor Wickham has returned from his loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday and is available for selection in Sunday's game with Norwich, despite the striker wanting more time at Hillsborough.
The England U21 international made the temporary move to Hillsborough in early February and scored one goal in six appearances for the Championship strugglers.
Manager Dave Jones was keen to extend the 19-year-old's spell, and the player himself said he was enjoying his stay in South Yorkshire.
But Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill has decided to bring him back to the Stadium of Light as they try to pull clear of the Premier League relegation zone.
Wickham has scored once in nine games this season for a Sunderland side that has not won in the top-flight since 19 Janaury.