Kenwyne Jones and Djibril Cisse look set to be rested for Sunderland's FA Cup fourth round replay with Blackburn tonight.

The strike pair sustained slight injuries in the derby draw against Newcastle on Sunday and are likely to be wrapped in cotton wool ahead of next Saturday's Premier League game against Stoke at the Stadium of Light.

Black Cats manager Ricky Sbragia has said he will make "five or six" changes for the tie at Ewood Park, and that will mean a return for Northern Ireland's David Healy up front.

With Michael Chopra joining Cardiff on deadline day and Sunderland failing in a bid to sign Darren Bent from Tottenham, Sbragia's striking options are limited.

Daryl Murphy could play alongside Healy or Steed Malbranque is able to play just behind the lone striker in a five-man midfield.

Sunderland take on Rovers for the fifth time this season after the initial tie at the Stadium of Light ended goalless.

A home tie against Coca-Cola Championship side Coventry in the fifth round awaits the winners, but that will not stop Sbragia fielding a weakened side.

"We've got a big game against Stoke and that's on our minds already," said Sbragia.

"We will probably make five or six changes for Wednesday.

"Sunday's game took a lot of energy out of us and we need to rest players. Having Premier League status is always in the back of your mind - the Stoke game is more important, I'll keep my better players for that game."

Sbragia signed two defenders, Tal Ben-Haim and Calum Davenport, just before the transfer window closed on Monday, both on loan, but neither is eligible to play against Rovers, having not been signed in time.

"I would have liked them to play but it's not the case," said Sbragia.

Sunderland are struggling for numbers defensively despite the two new arrivals this week.

Nyron Nosworthy and Paul McShane (both hamstring) are still sidelined while Anton Ferdinand has a niggling injury.

It could mean a debut for teenager Michael Kay in the fourth round tie. Kay can play at right-back or centre-back.

Sbragia and Sam Allardyce, the Rovers manager, said before the first game 10 days ago that they were desperate to avoid a replay.

"We didn't want a replay and it would be nice to get tonight's tie over in the 90 minutes," said the Scot.

"I'm sure Sam will be saying the same thing.

"I will put out a team that can do us justice, but I have my mind on the Stoke game - the Premier League is the most important thing, we have to get up that table."

Craig Gordon, the Scotland goalkeeper, will get the chance to impress when he makes his long-awaited comeback from injury.

Gordon has played just once in the last three months after fracturing his ankle in training.

He made an unsuccessful return from the injury against Bolton at the end of November.

Gordon must battle it out with Hungarian Marton Fulop for Sunderland's number one jersey.

"I think Craig will play," said Sbragia.

"Marton has been super and there is competition in there now."