VETERAN defender Wes Brown could be handed the task of trying to knit together Sunderland's fragile defence as an injury crisis threatens their survival hopes.
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| Brown has played once for Sunderland this season when the Black Cats were thumped 6-2 at Everton |
The 36-year-old former Manchester United and England star has made just one appearance all season, in a 6-2 Premier League drubbing at Everton on November 1.
But he could be pitched into the clash with Liverpool at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday because Younes Kaboul is sidelined for six to eight weeks with a hamstring tear and John O'Shea is struggling with a calf problem he suffered during the 4-1 Boxing Day defeat at Manchester City.
Manager Sam Allardyce is only too well aware of Brown's lack of football in recent months - and the way that was so cruelly exposed at Goodison Park - and will look to employ a system which both utilises his vast experience and offers him a measure of protection if he is required to play.
Allardyce said: "We would have to play a different way. We would have to play a certain system to use Wes' experience, but also give him a little bit of protection because we know that as Wes is getting a little bit older, he's not quite as quick as he used to be.
"We have to protect that area, but also get him to use his experience to play against a Liverpool side that's going to come and try to probably press us high up, by the sound of it, and us to deal and cope with that."
Sunderland have their last four games and conceded 11 goals.
Jon Flanagan will re-launch his injury-stalled Liverpool career today and take the first step towards banishing 18-months of torment.
The full-back is scheduled to play for the U21s against Fleetwood Town as he begins his comeback in earnest from a serious knee and cartilage problem.
Flanagan, who will be 23 on New Year's Day, has not played for Liverpool since the final day of the 2013-14 season when his performances caught the eye during the club's title push.
His displays earned England recognition before the World Cup with Roy Hodgson handing him his first cap as a substitute against Ecuador in a warm-up game in Miami.
The popular defender underwent knee surgery back in April and signed a new one-year deal which expires in the summer.
It means Flanagan is fighting for his Anfield future as he enters the final six months of his contract, although Liverpool would be entitled to compensation if an extension cannot be agreed and he leaves.
Right-footed Flanagan played at left-back during Liverpool's title challenge and if he can return to the levels he showed previously his presence will be a huge boost for Klopp.
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